File photo.
B.C. Municipal Affairs Minister Selina Robinson has introduced legislation to ban corporations, unions, and non-B.C. residents from donating to candidates or political parties in municipal elections.
Robinson said the legislation, which was introduced Monday, will also put limits on individual contributions, with a $1,200 cap per donor per year. One donor’s total contributions to the election campaign for an elector organization and all of its endorsed candidates would not be able to go over this amount.
Minister @selinarobinson introduced legislation to ban big money from local elections #bcpoli #banbigmoney #bcleg
— New Democrat Caucus (@BCNDPCaucus) October 30, 2017
“With this legislation, people can be confident that their local and provincial governments will be working for all voters, not just those able to write the largest cheques,” Robinson said.
“Our government has already taken action to get big money out of politics at the provincial level. These amendments will make sure that democracy at the local level works for everyone, not just a select few.”
If passed amendments to the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act will apply to all elections, starting with the 2018 general elections and any byelections thereafter, including campaigns for councillors, mayors, electoral area directors and school trustees.
The changes would be retroactive to Oct. 31. Contributions allowed under the former rules and received before Oct. 31, 2017 may be used for the 2018 general local elections.
Last month, the government introduced legislation to ban corporate and union donations in future provincial elections.
CHEK News
