The provincial office of the registrar of lobbyists is hosting meetings around British Columbia to raise awareness of changes to the Lobbyists Registration Act that come into force April 1.

“Lobbying is not a violation of the law,” the invitation notes. “Failing to register lobbying activities is.”

The changes expand the definition of 'lobbying', increase the information required to register and give the registrar the powers to conduct investigations and impose penalties of up to $25,000. It will also now be free to register.

The first information session is March 3 in Victoria, with further meetings scheduled for Nanaimo, Surrey, Campbell River, Vancouver, Prince George, Abbotsford and Kelowna.

The invitation warns, “You may be lobbying and don't even know it.”

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.