Pressure Mounts on BC to Clean Up Political Donations
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April 11, 2006
For Immediate Release
PRESSURE MOUNTS ON BC TO CLEAN UP POLITICAL DONATIONS
BC Challenged To Follow Feds
PRESSURE MOUNTS ON BC TO CLEAN UP POLITICAL DONATIONS
BC Challenged To Follow Feds
(Victoria, BC) The Conservation Voters of BC (CVBC) today challenged the BC government to follow the federal government in banning corporate and union donations to political parties. The federal legislation was introduced today, while Quebec and Manitoba have already enacted such a ban and Ontario is considering one.
“British Columbians have the right for their provincial legislature to be as free from big money influence as their federal parliament,” said Matt Price, CVBC Coordinator. “The winds of change on this issue are blowing, and the BC government can either sail with them, or be blown off course by them.”
Several months ago CVBC released the report Democracy For Sale that found BC in the basement with Alberta in having the fewest protections against money in politics. Nothing has improved since the report was released.
BC not only permits corporations and unions to dominate political financing in BC, it also allows unlimited donations by wealthy individuals. The federal legislation introduced today lowers the cap for individuals from $5,000 to $1,000.
Last week it came to light that in 2005 the BC Liberals raised $13 million in donations, 77% of which was from business, while the NDP raised $7.5 million, 27% of which was from unions.
“There is no other reason that corporations and unions make donations other than to buy influence,” said Price. “Why do we allow this buying of democracy when the principle of our system is supposed to be One person, One vote?”
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For more information call 250-661-2965
For more information call 250-661-2965