LU responds to NDP lobby concerns

Lakehead University officials are responding to concerns raised Tuesday over the hiring of private lobbyists.

Ontario’s New Democratic Party leader Andrea Horwath brought the issue to light, saying it was a misuse of taxpayer money to allow universities to use tax dollars to lobby the government.

Lakehead University issued a response in the form of a press release Wednesday and acknowledged it has spent an average of $33,000 each year over the past five years to hire lobbyists.

The university says the external assistance has resulted in significant time and money savings as it builds relationships with federal and provincial officials.

"Lakeahead University has benefited from significant time and money savings by using external assistance," the news release issued Wednesday afternoon states. "(The university) looks forward to any future discussions on establishing transparency and constraints and will fully comply with any future legislation governing this matter."

The statement also says that the university has never used government grants, tuition fees, or donor funds to cover its lobbying costs.