Pour en finir avec le lobbying : comment les institutions canadiennes influencent l’action des groupes d’intérêts*

Abstract

Résumé Influencés par une littérature américaine abondante, les Canadiens ramènent trop aisément l’ensemble des actions des groupes d’intérêts à du lobbying. Adoptant une perspective institutionnaliste, cet article affirme pourtant que les groupes d’intérêts au Canada sont appelés à jouer un rôle plus significatif en matière d’élaboration des politiques publiques. C’est donc dans l’optique de mieux rendre compte de la contribution des groupes d’intérêts canadiens que ce texte propose une typologie de leurs actions. De manière plus précise, l’auteur suggère que les institutions parlementaires issues du modèle de Westminster, le fédéralisme exécutif et les réseaux de politiques publiques encouragent les groupes à ne pas limiter leurs actions à la transmission de demandes spécifiques mais à mettre leurs connaissances et leurs expertises au service des gouvernants.

Who you know in the PMO: Lobbying the Prime Minister's Office in Canada

“…In Canada, however, empirical studies on lobbying (Amara, Landry and Lamari ; Eagle ; Presthus ; Rhéault ) do not tackle this specific issue. Although the literature on lobbying in the parliamentary system clearly states that executive branch members are crucial lobbying targets (Jordan and Richardson ; Montpetit ; Vining, Shapiro and Bernhard ), we still lack a comprehensive assessment of lobbying activities directed at governnmental agencies. Who has direct access to the most influential actors in the Canadian government?…”

“…The federal government usually does not face a parliamentary opposition capable of blocking its legislative actions, although this is only true when the government holds a majority of seats in the House of Commons. Taking this into account, scholars have argued that the fusion of executive and legislative powers has an impact on lobbying activities, which are primarily aimed at the executive branch (Boucher ; Montpetit ). Perhaps even more importantly, executive power is concentrated at the top of the governmental hierarchy.…”

Lobbying and uncertainty: Lobbying's varying response to different political events

“…(pp. 278).Accordingly, in parliamentary systems, executive branch members—especially ministers and senior bureaucrats—are the most relevant targets for lobbyists (Boucher, ; Montpetit, ; Vining et al, ). This is because a majority government allows cabinet members, especially the prime minister, to control the legislative agenda.…”

A Comparative Analysis of Women’s Sport Advocacy Groups in Canada and the United States

“…There are also a number of comparative studies which examine the institutional factors influencing civil society organizations in Canada and the United States (Abelson & Carberry, 1998;Montpetit, 2002). To date, studies have not examined how institutional environments shape civil society organizations in the sport policy sector.…”