This past week, a license application was filed with the CRTC to create a right wing news channel. The key person for the new channel's business development is Kory Teneycke. As he was the former communications director for Stephen Harper, would he not be covered under the Accountability Act of 2006? If he was, would he not be covered under the lobbying ban which lasts for 5 years after leaving your position in the Federal government as he did in 2008 or 2009? To be fair, we have no idea who filed the CRTC application. Even if his name was not on the application, the position that he currently holds as Vice-President of business development at Quebecor, may necessitate his need to make contact with the CRTC. In this particular case, would it not be considered lobbying as he would want the CRTC to grant him a certain type of license, therefore he would be in active negotiations trying to pitch his business plan to get the license. Wouldn't this force him to inadvertently violate the Accountability Act thus making him vulnerable to criminal charges under that Act?
I would really appreciate some feedback on this because one can go easily cross-eyed looking at the Act as well as going through the updated rules on lobbying and public office holders definitions in Parliamentary rules manuals.
msdogfood@hotmail.com
Thanks