Providing strategic advice is not the same thing as lobbying, according to former Conservative Party MP John Reynolds who represented the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding for nine years.
Reynolds, who co-chaired the Conservative's national election campaign but didn't run for re-election, has been hired by Lang Michener, a national law firm with offices in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver.
Reynolds said he would be giving strategic advice to the firm's clients about how to deal with government, especially when the Conservative Party's new rules come out. The new regulations outlining accountability procedures for government will be in the Throne Speech which will be delivered in April, said Reynolds.
Reynolds will also be giving clients advice about other governments internationally.
"I've had a lot of experience internationally in my political career, so I'll be doing a lot of work in Asia, Africa, parts of the Commonwealth where their clients are doing business," said Reynolds.
If he lobbies anybody, Reynolds noted, he'll register as a lobbyist.
"The law requires you to register. The law will be even tougher after the new regulations come in," he said.
Reynolds has said he will not use his close relationship with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in his new position.
"He's a friend," said Reynolds. "I wouldn't do that to him. My friendships are too important to be accepting payments from somebody."
Harper appointed Reynolds to the Privy Council after the new cabinet was sworn in Feb. 6.
The Privy Council is the ceremonial council of advisers to the Queen of Canada, whose members are appointed by the Governor General of Canada for life on the advice of the Prime Minister.
