Re: “B.C. Liberals return $93,000 in donations” (March 31)
How interesting that the Elections B.C. investigation into donation practices of B.C.’s political parties has been turned over to the RCMP, Canada’s criminal justice branch.
The crimes being investigated are allegations that lobbyists violated the Elections Act by purchasing expensive tables at pay-for-play fundraisers and secretly billing the expenses back to their clients, as well as other donation practices mentioned by Mr. Fletcher.
Both the Liberals and NDP continue these practices despite widespread pressure that has seen all other jurisdictions in Canada reform their donation legislation. The damage this behaviour does to our democratic system is far reaching – not only does it corrupt government, it also disgusts many to the point they turn away from participating in one of the few opportunities they have to be heard: voting.
Since October 2016, the B.C. Green party is the only B.C. party that has actually banned corporate and union donations. The B.C. Green Party is funded entirely by individuals. This is clearly something that citizens appreciate – the party raised more than its entire 2015 revenue in the last 3 months of 2016 after instituting the ban.
I support the NDP’s efforts to introduce legislation to ban big money, but I would suggest that it is just political posturing in time for the upcoming May election. Meanwhile B.C. NDP leader John Horgan has continued to host cash-for-access events with hefty ticket prices, the same as the Liberals, while saying he is waiting for the legislation that would apply to all parties. He could show real intention and leadership by joining the B.C. Greens in banning big money donations to their party now.
Hopefully the RCMP investigation will be done before the May 9 election. Stay tuned.
Lisa Bramson
Nelson