The Free Press editorial board does Manitobans a public service when it points out the flaws in Bill 37 and asks the Government of Manitoba to send it back for proper public consultation (First ask the people, May 2; 'Partisan' censorship, May 14). Bill 37, consists of a new Lobbyists Registration Act plus amendments to four existing, election-related Acts. Bundling five bills into one bill makes it difficult for the public and the opposition parties to respond to the good, the bad and the ugly they contain. The day before a second bill, Bill 31, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, was tabled, the Free Press published a news report, Province to hire privacy chief, May 1. The report was premature and only partly true.

Lobbyists Registration legislation that makes public the identities, causes and conduct of lobbyists is a good idea in a small, cosy province like Manitoba. It should probably be extended to the City of Winnipeg. However, the government of Manitoba has handed down minimalist legislation that falls far short of other jurisdictions in Canada and the United States. The federal government and other provinces such as Newfoundland and Labrador have a code of conduct for lobbyists and a commissioner of lobbyists to enforce the code. Manitoba is only proposing a lobbyists' register and registrar.