The federal government is using your hard-earned tax dollars to fund organizations that then lobby the very same government, a practice known as circular lobbying. This undermines public trust and creates a false narrative of civil society support for certain policies.
What Is Circular Lobbying?
Circular lobbying occurs when governments hand out tax dollars to non-governmental organizations, only to have those organizations turn around and lobby the government, often parroting its own talking points. This gives the public a skewed view of where consensus truly lies.
Examples of Circular Lobbying in Canada
A recent report by the Consumer Choice Center highlights four key areas: social organizations, climate organizations, public health organizations, and anti-alcohol organizations.
Climate Organizations
The International Institute for Sustainable Development received $18.5 million from the federal government last year. It used that money to advocate against new pipelines and cutting red tape for housing, creating a false perception that civil society opposes such developments.
The Canadian Climate Institute received nearly $7 million, representing 75% of its budget. It advocated for the industrial carbon tax, claiming negligible impact on families, despite real costs for farmers and manufacturers.
Public Health Organizations
The Canadian Cancer Society took over $3 million to falsely claim youth vaping is rising. Government data shows a decline from 13.2% in 2019 to 7.2% in 2023. The society used this to push for banning flavoured vapes, which help smokers quit.
Anti-Alcohol Organizations
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction received $11.5 million, 89% of its budget. It released a report claiming no amount of alcohol is safe, relying on low-quality data. This was used to push for cancer warning labels on alcohol bottles.
Why This Practice Must End
While these organizations have the right to advocate, taxpayer funding should not be used to tilt the scales. The federal government must stop funding advocacy groups, especially when Ottawa is running a deficit and taxpayers are struggling.
It is time for the government to end circular lobbying and ensure a fair and balanced discourse in civil society.
