City of Vaughan appoints Lobbyist Registrar
Suzanne Craig to assume a combined role
urbantoronto.ca
June 28, 2017
The City of Vaughan is taking another positive step forward in its commitment to accountability and transparency. Today, Council appointed Suzanne Craig as Lobbyist Registrar in addition to her role as Integrity Commissioner. This position is part-time and effective in January 2018 when the Lobbyist Registry becomes mandatory in Vaughan.
Ms. Craig is a qualified and experienced leader in the municipal sector who has served the City of Vaughan since 2009. Her expanded role will include:
- Administration of the lobbyist registration system
- Providing advice, opinions and interpretations regarding the Lobbyist Registry
- Conducting investigations or inquiries to determine if the Lobbyist Registry By-law has been contravened
- Suspending or revoking a registration
- Enforcing the Lobbyist Registry By-law
Vaughan is among an elite group when it comes to transparency and accountability. Out of 444 municipalities in Ontario, the City is one of 38 to have an Integrity Commissioner, one of 19 to have an Internal Auditor, one of eight to have an anonymous reporting system and one of six to voluntarily implement a Lobbyist Registry.
QUOTE
“It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Suzanne Craig as Lobbyist Registrar. Trust and accountability are key priorities at the City of Vaughan, and she has been a tremendous asset by serving as our Integrity Commissioner for many years. A strong transparency framework contributes to our commitment to advancing excellence in governance. I championed the creation of a lobbyist registry because I believe in an open government - giving the public access to information about who is communicating with public office holders. I know Ms. Craig will continue to bring commitment and dedication to the City, and serve our community well. I look forward to working with her in the years to come as she takes on this new expanded role.”
-Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
QUICK FACTS
- Lobbying activities in Vaughan are currently registered on a voluntary basis through an online portal that allows the public access to information on who is meeting with decision-makers. Lobbyists provide information regarding their identity, who they represent, the subject matter and which public office holders they are lobbying.
- The Lobbyist Registrar may be given the authority to conduct inquiries, impose sanctions and, where necessary, refer inquiries to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
- Suzanne Craig graduated with a bachelor of arts from the University of Toronto. After having completed post-graduate studies at the American University, Ms. Craig attended the doctor of law program at the University of Rome, Italy and the masters of law program at Osgoode Hall Law School.
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