On Friday, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre published an op-ed criticizing Canadian businesses’ use of lobbyists. He’s also called out the Liberals for high-priced fundraisers and "undue handouts” to the business lobby.
But since Poilievre became leader, dozens of federal lobbyists have also paid to attend the roughly 50 private fundraising events he’s spoken at.
So despite all the critiques of big money and lobbying in politics, why do they still seem to be everywhere? How has lobbying shifted power in our democracy? And if parties are concerned, why haven’t any of them made bigger efforts to reform it?
Duff Conacher has been pushing for MPs to close lobbying loopholes for almost three decades. He’s a co-founder of Democracy Watch, a non-profit advocating for government accountability.
For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Weekend Listen: Hollywood Exiles
Former Canadian world junior hockey players face sex assault charges
Is $10 daycare in trouble?
Oilsands pollution 'vastly underestimated': study
Is Palworld more than ‘Pokémon with guns’?
What’s at stake with Canada’s foreign interference inquiry
Death at the border and a search for the smugglers
A fake CEO, a failed investment scheme, and millions lost
Invasive strep A: what you need to know
After Siakam, what's next for the Raptors?
Mass stabbing inquest hears horror, heroism
Police crackdown and a homelessness emergency
Sex workers, a rural property and an alleged serial rapist
Immigration and housing costs. What’s the link?
Chaos, gang war erupts in Ecuador
Israel faces genocide case at UN’s top court
The downfall of the NRA's Wayne LaPierre
Why are Canadian churches being burned?
Is Trudeau in dire need of a new story?
Life and death at a Gaza hospital
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Big Story
The Decibel
The Current
Economist Podcasts
The Daily