British Columbians are ready to get big donations out of the political process.
A recent survey by the Dogwood Initiative shows 86 per cent of respondents favour banning donations from corporations and unions to provincial parties before the May 2017 provincial election.
Despite the public support for such a measure, Premier Christy Clark recently rejected calls from the opposition to ban such donations.
“How can citizens trust either the Liberals or the NDP to make decisions in the public interest when they rely on cash from construction unions, Alberta oil companies or foreign billionaires?” said Kai Nagata, communications director at Dogwood.
Alberta banned corporate and union contributions to political parties last June.
According to the poll, corporate influence on politicians has caused cynicism amongst the public, with 47 per cent of respondents listing corporations as having the most influence on politicians. Meanwhile, 38 per cent said they feel citizens have the least influence.
B.C. is one of four provinces in Canada that does not have limits on individual donations.
Seventy-six per cent of respondents strongly supported or somewhat supported limiting how much a single person can donate to a political party or candidate.
Limits across Canada have a wide range, with Quebec limiting indivudal annual donations to $100 and Manitoba putting an annual cap at $3,000 per year.
The survey found that of those who feel a limit should be put on B.C.’s individual political donations, an average of $709 limit was suggested.
On May 3, Vancouver city council will vote on a motion to call for a referendum on political financing reform for the next provincial election in 2017.
“Looking at these polling numbers, a referendum shouldn’t be necessary,” said Nagata. “But if provincial politicians dig in their heels, that may be the only way to force a change.”