Lobbying and the public interest.

The term lobbying refers to communications by intermediaries for companies or organizations aimed at influencing public office holders in relation to public policy or administrative decisions in which their constituents have a particular interest. In a free and democratic society, certain fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression and the right of association, constitute the foundation of a complex interaction among government and individuals, social and economic stakeholders, and civil society groups and organizations. This article looks at certain provisions of the Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Act (Quebec) and asks whether there is any contradiction between lobbying and the public interest.

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In Le Petit Robert, under the term "interet" ("interest"), I came across a phrase that beautifully captures the essence of what I want to speak about. The dictionary attributes Balzac with writing, "The law of public interest (...) is dest...

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