Canada needs a Party that belongs to people, not corporations

We have a once-in-a-generation chance to transform the federal NDP. A key obstacle to this transformation: the party has been infiltrated by corporate interests. Courage is bringing forward a proposal to keep corporate lobbyists out of key positions of influence.

For nearly a century, generations of working people have poured millions of hours into building a political movement that puts people before profit, relying on people power over business interests.

Today, the NDP has a revolving door problem.

The national director who served until 2024 was fresh off a stint as an associate at Hill and Knowlton, a lobbying firm with clients like Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil and GlaxoSmithKline
A former national director and executive level staffer in Alberta is chief lobbyist at AirBnB
A former federal president went on to lobby for a national bank and two pipeline companies
Another former national director is currently lobbying for pharmaceutical companies, a telecom giant, and an oil company

Some of these actors have been back and forth between corporate lobbying and the federal party. Others who work as lobbyists commonly appear in the media to represent the perspective of the NDP.

The central role of lobbyists undermines the party’s core values. The established career path from Parliament Hill staffer to corporate flak mocks those millions of hours workers have spent building an alternative.

Today, many of the usual lobbyist suspects have gone to greener pastures.

That’s why it’s a great time to close the revolving door.

We need clear, enforceable rules:

No corporate lobbyists in key leadership positions.
A five-year cooling-off period before anyone in those roles can work for corporate lobbying or PR firms.

Sign this petition to demand the NDP adopt a Leadership Integrity Policy that bans corporate lobbyists from senior roles.

The resolution we’re bringing to convention

WHEREAS concerns about the growing influence of corporate consultants, lobbyists, and government-relations professionals within senior political leadership circles have received widespread coverage and analysis;

WHEREAS multiple documented cases show individuals with ties to corporate lobbying and strategic communications firms holding or advising key leadership roles within the NDP;

WHEREAS these situations — even when no rules are broken — undermine public confidence in the independence, advocacy and values of the party and its leadership;

WHEREAS clear internal rules about past roles or future prospects would strengthen the Party’s commitments to worker rights, strong public infrastructure, fair economic opportunities and advocating for systemic fairness integrity ANDand protect against real or perceived conflicts of interest;

BE IT RESOLVED the NDP will adopt the following “no corporate lobbyists in leadership” policy:

Individuals who have, in a five year period, worked as corporate lobbyists in public relations, government relations, or strategic communications firms that consult for for-profit corporations shall be ineligible to serve in key NDP leadership positions, including President, Chief of Staff, or any director-level position.

As a condition of hiring, candidates for these positions will agree to a five-year cooling off period for corporate positions outlined above.

Non-profit or labour groups are not included.

The Party Executive shall maintain and enforce compliance procedures.

The resolution we’re bringing to convention

More lobbyists-in-the-NDP reading