Students welcome legislation to crack down on publicly-funded lobbyists

TORONTO, Oct. 21 /CNW/ - College and university students welcome the provincial government's announcement yesterday of new legislation that would ban publicly-funded institutions, such as colleges and universities, from spending public funds on corporate lobbyists. Shortly after the Ontario NDP uncovered nearly one million dollars spent by nine Ontario colleges and universities to hire private lobbyists, students raised concern about the inappropriate use of taxpayers' dollars and institutional resources.

"Students are glad that the government is taking important steps to address our concerns and ensure accountability in college and university governance," said Sandy Hudson, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "Students expect our college and university administrations to spend public funding on students, laboratories and professors, not to waste it on corporate glad-handing or influence-peddling."

The proposed legislation also includes measures that would require top executives in the public sector, including college and university administrators, to post their expenses online. Stronger restrictions that crack down on inappropriate uses of public funding are a welcome addition to public sector accountability regulations, which also include freedom of information requirements and the disclosure of public sector employee salaries over $100,000 per year.

"At a time when most colleges and universities are crying poor, it is inappropriate for senior administrators to outsource their responsibility to meet with government," said Hudson. "We are looking forward to the day when the revolving door between lobbyists and government is closed."

The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario unites more than 300,000 college and university students studying at public post-secondary institutions across the province.

For further information:

Sandy Hudson, Ontario Chairperson, 416-925-3825 or 416-722-8842 (cell)

Joel Duff, Ontario Organiser, 416-925-3825 or 416-707-0349 (cell)