April 9, 2008 - Prime Minister Harper rejected speculation by Liberals that he has a hidden agenda to re-open the constitutional debate in order to achieve the government’s democratic reform agenda.
He’s confused. He’s ambiguous. He has a hidden agenda. He must show it to Canadians. He must stop being secretive. He must be transparent about the fabric of this federation.
- Stéphane Dion
Harper confirmed his long-held position that democratic reform can be achieved through legislation and changes to parliamentary convention.
The Conservative Party raised more money in 2007 than all the other political parties combined, according to data released by Elections Canada. The Conservatives earned 62% of the fundraising dollars, while the Liberal Party raised 18%.
For the first time, more people donated money to the NDP than to the Liberal Party.
Contributions to Political Parties
(2007, Elections Canada)
Conservative
Liberal
NDP
Green
Bloc
Total number of contributors
159,122
35,783
53,110
12,003
5,038
Total amount of contributions
$16,990,766
$4,537,966
$3,979,737
$984,605
$430,061
Transfers from registered associations
$16,000
$331,683
$352
$21,026
$33,379
Transfers from candidates
$5,282
$331,683
0
0
$1,855
Total Transfers
$21,282
$368,249
$352
$21,026
$35,234
Grand Total
$17,012,048
$4,906,215
$3,980,089
$1,005,631
$465,296
Percent of Total
62.2%
17.9%
14.5%
3.7%
1.7%
The government’s Accountability Act came into effect on January 1, 2007 and imposed new limits on political donations that forbids political donations from corporations, trade unions, associations and other groups.
Now only individual Canadians to contribute, and only up to a limit of $1100 per person, per calendar year to each registered political party.
The new fund raising rules have proven to be a challenge for the Liberal Party whose finances heavily relied on large donations from corporations, trade unions and special interest groups.
Government House Leader Peter Van Loan introduces the Accountability with Respect to Loans bill as part of the government’s broader democratic reform agenda. The bill closes a loophole left open by the government’s Accountability Act which imposes new limits on contributions to political parties by allowing only contributions from individuals donating up to $1100 per year to each political party.
Both measures are designed to remove the influence of corporations, trade unions, special interests and wealthy individuals on the political process in favour of broad financial support from individual Canadians.
The new bill closes a loophole where private loans can be made to political parties with no expectation of repayment. The bill:
Establishes a reporting regime for all loans to political parties, associations, and candidates, including mandatory disclosure of terms such as interest rates, and the identity of all lenders and loan guarantors;
Bans unions and corporations from making loans to political parties;
Limits total loans, loan guarantees, and contributions by individuals to $1100 per year as established in the Federal Accountability Act;
Permits only registered Canadian financial institutions and other political entities to give loans beyond the $1100 limit;
Makes riding associations responsible for unpaid loans to prevent candidates from avoiding payment.
The Liberal Party’s fundraising ability has been dramatically reduced by the current limits imposed by the Accountability Act, and they oppose this new bill to close the lending loophole.Despite this, the bill is expected to pass the House of Commons with the support of all the other political parties, but it may be blocked by the Liberal dominated Senate.
Stephen Harper announced in Question Period today that he would appoint Alberta farmer Bert Brown to the Senate when Liberal Senator Dan Hayes retires this summer.
Brown, a long-time advocate for Senate reform, was elected twice in Alberta, most recently in 2004 as a one of four ‘Senator-in-waiting’ from the province.
Brown will be Canada’s second elected Senator, following Stan Waters who was appointed by Brian Mulroney in 1989 after being elected Senator-in-waiting in Alberta. No other province has elected Senators-in-waiting.
March 8, 2007 - The Prime Minister discusses the status of two Senate reform bills to elect Senators and limit their terms to 8 years.
Bill S-4 (term limits) has been held up in the Liberal dominiated Senate since May 2006; Bill C-43 (elected Senators) is expected to be opposed by the Liberal opposition.
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