NEWS: Public Want Strict Limits on Donors

By Think City Staff

British Columbians want the province to end big money influence on local elections according to a new survey released by Think City.

A majority of 1,025 people surveyed want strict donor contribution limits and campaign spending caps for local elections.

"Our survey shows the vast majority of the public want the province to bring in strict laws regulating how local candidates and parties finance their election campaigns," said Think City Chair Neil Monckton. "More than half of those surveyed rated donor contribution limits as the most effective way to curb the influence of big money on local politicians in BC's at-large local electoral system."

Think City's online campaign finance reform survey of 1,025 citizens between May 11 and 21 showed overwhelming support for contribution limits, spending caps and public funding. In particular:

• 80 per cent want donor contributions capped at between $1,100 and $2,500 annually;
• 71 per cent want campaign spending limited to between $0.85 and $3.30 per voter; and
• 63 per cent want public funding in the form of tax credits or donor rebates to be made available at the municipal level.

Think City's survey findings mirror the results of a Mustel poll of 500 BC residents conducted between April 7 and 14 that showed 85 per cent support campaign spending limits and 75 per cent support limits on how much money any one person or organization can donate to a candidate or political party.

"In the 2008 elections, municipalities across the province were plagued by numerous cases of campaign financing irregularities that resulted in police investigations, inquiries and legal challenges," said Monckton. "We hope Minister Bill Bennett and his local government elections task force will reflect on the significant support for campaign finance reform when they make their recommendations for civic electoral reform public on May 30."

"Candidates and parties have strict limits on both campaign spending and donor contributions federally and at the municipal level in several provinces including Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec," said Monckton. "During provincial elections in British Columbia, candidates and parties are subject to strict expense limits. It's about time BC modernized its local election campaign finance laws."

Think City’s second submission to the provincial task force on local government elections detailing the results of the campaign finance survey will be availbale on May 26.

To read Think City’s May 26 submission to the provincial local government elections task force, click here.