Former Conservative MP denies he's becoming a lobbyist

[tuvor]

John Reynolds, the man who co-chaired the Conservative national election campaign, is now offering advice to some of Canada's largest companies on how to access the government.

Reynolds has been hired by Lang Michener, a national law firm with offices in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver. The company says it's hired Reynolds for his wealth of experience and connections.

"While government is where he comes from, that's not where we see his main role," said Pam Denecky, Lang Michener's director of business development.

Denecky said Reynolds has a wealth of experience in other areas besides federal politics and the company would have hired him even if the Conservatives hadn't formed the government.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/02/16/reynolds060216.html

[Minstrel Boy]

1. Nov 4: "Harper Makes Commitment to Clean Up Government"

Announcing the Federal Accountability Act:

OTTAWA – Conservative leader and Leader of the Opposition, Stephen Harper said today his first piece of legislation as Prime Minister will be to introduce a new Federal Accountability Act designed to end the influence of big money in Ottawa and crack down on a lobbying culture that has thrived under Paul Martin.

The current government works with a culture of entitlement. No public official is entitled to use taxpayer’s money for their own purposes. “We propose to clean up government and give hard working Canadians a government they deserve,” said Harper. “Government exists to serve Canadians; government must serve the public interest, not personal interests.”

With many accountability measures to be introduced, the Act will change the way business is done in Ottawa by:

* Banning corporate and union donations, while limiting personal donations to $1,000;
* Overhauling lobbying laws and banning all ministers, ministerial staffers or senior public officials from lobbying government for five years after leaving their post;
* Give more power to the Lobbyists Registrar, Ethics Commissioner, Information Commissioner and the Auditor General, and;
* Give the Auditor General a mandate to conduct a complete review of the more than $30 billion in annual federal grants, contributions and contracts.

“Today I propose to Canadians a new vision, a plan to renew faith in government, to instil a culture of accountability in Ottawa. A Conservative government will hold those responsible for wrong-doing to account, we will root out remaining problems and impose new reforms. Cleaning up government is a job that begins at the top. As Prime Minister my commitment to you is that a Conservative government will erase the culture of entitlement, and make Ottawa more accountable to Canadians.”


I guess, using Harper-logic, since Reynolds wasn't a Minister there's no problem.