Organisation

Jean-François Routhier

Commissioner of Lobbying

The institution’s activities are placed under the authority of the Lobbying Commissioner, a person appointed by the National Assembly. Mr. Jean-François Routhier was appointed on October 17, 2017, by the members of the National Assembly to act as Lobbying Commissioner. He was reappointed on April 20, 2023, for a five-year term.

The Commissioner has all the powers and performs all the duties provided for in the Act. To carry out his mandate, he is assisted by a team of nearly 45 people, including five managers, who assume various responsibilities in terms of auditing and investigation, communications, training, customer services, management services and legal affairs.

Émilie Giguère

Secretary General and Director of Institutional Affairs and Administration

The General Secretariat assists the Commissioner in the exercise of all his functions. It plays a strategic advisory role by providing opinions and analytical elements necessary for decision-making. It is responsible for all activities related to the governance of the institution, particularly in terms of compliance with policies, ethics and risk management.

The General Secretariat is also responsible for:

> coordinate the process of reflection, development and implementation of the strategic plan;
> put in place mechanisms for evaluating the performance of the annual action plans of the departments;
> ensure the efficient management of projects and the implementation of performance optimization measures;
> see to the organization of day-to-day business and its execution in order to ensure the achievement of strategic and operational objectives.

The General Direction of Institutional Affairs and Administration provides and coordinates support and control services in the management of human, financial, material and information resources. It also plays a strategic advisory role with the Directorate of Public Affairs and Communications.

Marie-Claude Bernard

Director of Public Affairs and Communications

The Public Affairs and Communications Direction brings together all responsibilities, activities and resources in the areas of public affairs, internal and external communications, education and training. In this regard, it:

> manages and monitors external relations and cooperation activities with external partners;
> develops, proposes, implements and monitors the institution’s communication plan;
> plans, organizes and carries out press relations, public relations and the activities necessary for the development and dissemination of information on Lobbyisme Québec’s digital platforms (newsletter, website, social networks, intranet);
> develops, makes available and publicizes the tools needed to understand the rules governing the practice of lobbying;
> prepares the activity report of the institution;
> provides support for internal communication activities;
> responds in the first line to requests made by customers;
> organizes and delivers training and awareness sessions on the Act and the Code.

Jean-François Routhier

Acting Director of Registry Operations, Customer Information and Oversight

The Registry Operations, Customer Information and Monitoring Direction carries out monitoring activities, compliance monitoring of the disclosure of lobbying activities in Carrefour Lobby Québec, and the provision of front-line information services to customers. It includes compliance inspectors and customer service agents. In this regard, it:

> receives and processes reports;
> ensures compliance and monitoring of the rules and deadlines for the disclosure of lobbying activities at Carrefour Lobby Québec;
> ensures monitoring and compliance with the post-employment rules for public office holders;
> carries out monitoring and validation and compliance activities related to the creation of accounts and the disclosure of lobbying activities at Carrefour Lobby Québec;
> responds on the front line to requests relating to the Act, the Code of Conduct for Lobbyists and the lobbyists registry, Carrefour Lobby Québec.

Marie-Pier Tremblay

Acting Director of Audit and Investigations

The Audit and Investigations Department plans, organizes and carries out Lobbyisme Québec’s audit, investigation and inspection activities. It targets its interventions based on issues and risks and establishes the processes necessary for the application of the Act and the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct.

Thus, the Direction:

> develops, proposes, implements and monitors the institution’s audit and investigation strategy;
> recommends intervention methods, enforcement measures and applicable sanctions in relation to the results of its audits and investigations;
> ensures the development and transmission of investigation files to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions and participates in discussions with the latter as well as in the subsequent judicial process;
> constitutes the evidence to be presented in all criminal or disciplinary cases.

Nicholas Frenette-Béland

Director of Corporate Secretariat and Legal Affairs

The Corporate Secretariat and Legal Affairs acts as the institution’s registrar and ensures the authentication of Lobbyisme Québec’s official documents. It is responsible for applying the disciplinary process provided for by the Act and any confidentiality measures ordered under it.

The Corporate Secretariat is also responsible for:

> analyzing and formulating recommendations regarding the institution’s compliance, its subjection and its responsibilities under the laws and other standards applicable to the institution;
> ensuring the processing of requests for access to information and compliance with the protection of personal information;
> ensuring the smooth running of the contract management process, subject to the financial authorizations that fall under the Commissioner’s authority.

Legal Affairs issues opinions and produces legal opinions regarding the application of the Act, the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct and any other law requiring a formal decision by the Commissioner. They provide legal support to other departments and represent the Lobbying Commissioner in cases brought before the courts and before the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions.