Alberta’s newly minted NDP Premier Rachel Notley has passed her first piece of legislation – a bill that will halt donations from unions and corporations.
As long as it doesn’t leave loopholes big enough to drive a dump truck full of cash or bus full of campaign volunteeers through, we say it’s time for a similar law here.
Some argue that hefty political donations result in kid gloves treatment for donors. We’re not convinced that’s always the case, but the perception is there and that’s enough.
We too would like to be able to stand up and say to well-heeled interests: “Your money’s no good here.”
It never fails.
A scandal breaks and a day or two later, someone connects the dots on how much those at the centre of it donated to the ruling party.
It’s getting tedious, and it’s sullying people’s view of politics.
As campaign budgets seem to keep climbing ever higher, almost every election sees more and more would-be voters finding a reason to stay home. We can’t help but feel there’s a relationship.
Prior to losing the last provincial election, the B.C. NDP floated the idea of banning corporate and union donations.
But the fact that Notley’s bill passed with all-party support in Alberta shows it’s an idea any party can get behind, whether they’re left, right or really, really right.
To their credit, the federal Conservatives moved on this issue years ago.
We’re not sure why B.C. has to lag behind on meaningful democratic reform at both the provincial and municipal levels.
Each time there’s an election, rumblings begin again that now’s the time to change the rules on election donations – and each time, the rumblings turn into a whole lot of absolutely nothing.
For the sake of democracy, it’s time for action in this province – and right across the country.
Regardless of what level of government we’re talking about, there’s too much money in politics. We could all do with a few less attack ads and robocalls.
- guest editorial from the North Shore News
