Ex-Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer also met with the mayor of Ottawa to discuss green energy opportunities, CTV Ottawa has learned.
A House of Commons committee is currently looking into the possibility that Jaffer participated in improper lobbying with the federal government to promote a green energy company he was involved with. Jaffer and his partner, Patrick Glemaud, have denied any improper lobbying.
Mayor Larry O'Brien told CTV Ottawa although he met with Jaffer he referred him to Hydro Ottawa. However, the agency said it hasn't had any contact with Jaffer or any companies he's associated with.
Although the federal government's Lobbyist Act requires lobbyists to register, there currently isn't a registry for lobbyists at the municipal level.
Lobbyist registry needed?
Now, one of the front-runners in the race for mayor says there's a need for lobbyists to make their intentions known to the public.
"We have lobbyists coming in to talk to us about decisions that will give them millions of dollars in economic advantage, that's part of doing business, absolutely. But I think it's in the public's interest to know whose being lobbied for what and who's seeing who," Coun. Alex Cullen told CTV Ottawa on Thursday.
"A lobbying registry, I think is key. It adds transparency, it helps for accountability."
Cullen, who is running for mayor, spoke about the need to make rules about lobbying at Ottawa City Hall while he attended the Nepean-Kanata Rotary Club dinner on Thursday.
He said the public has a right to know who is lobbying politicians for a piece of the city's $2-billion budget.
