Keep the big guys out of it

Photo: Nicholas Johansen - File photo

A B.C. non-profit is supporting the push to end corporate and union donations in the province.

MLAs John Horgan and Vicki Huntington have both introduced bills looking to end so-called cash-for-access dinners and corporate and union donations, and the Dogwood Institute is applauding those initiatives.

"Eighty-six per cent of British Columbians want to ban corporate and union donations, including four in five BC Liberal voters,” said Dogwood campaigner Lisa Sammartino. “This should not be a partisan issue.”

Dogwood commissioned polling through Insights West in April last year, that found a majority of British Columbians wanted to see a ban on out-of-province donations and a limit to individual contributions. The suggested limit, according to Dogwood, averaged out to $709.

“Across the country there are distinct differences in how much an individual can give a political party, from $100 in Quebec to $15,000 in Alberta,” Sammartino said.“We urge MLAs to give the Chief Electoral Officer a mandate to set a fair limit that ensures political access is not for purchase by the wealthy.”

More recently in the Okanagan, Premier Christy Clark got some flak for holding a $5,000-per-plate dinner in her riding in Westside-Kelowna. At the time, Clark and the BC Liberals were tight-lipped about who was in attendance.

Voters got a glimpse of some of those potential attendees, as the party updated its list of contributors.

Polling by Dogwood also highlighted a feeling of helplessness among voters – two thirds of respondents believe citizens don't have a major role in shaping policy in B.C.

"This is one reason voter turnout is so low in B.C.," Sammartino said. "People are justifiably cynical. MLAs have the power to change that."