FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Green Party will eliminate corporate and union donations to political parties
Orangeville, Ontario – Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner (Simcoe-Grey) and Deputy Leader Rob Strang (Dufferin-Caledon) announced the Green Party’s plan to reform the Ontario electoral system to ensure that special interests take a back seat to the priorities of Ontarians.
“It takes a lot of money to run a political campaign the likes of the old line parties. Primetime advertising, a fleet of buses emblazoned with their faces – all cost money,” said Schreiner. “This type of extravagant spending has become the norm, making corporate and union donations the lifeblood of the old parties.”
The problem lies in the fact that corporations and unions don’t vote – people do. And when corporations and unions are allowed to donate, the people in them are effectively allowed to exceed the contribution limits of other individuals set by the province.
“With the province facing controversial developments that threaten farmland and clean water like the mega quarry in Melancthon, we need to ensure that the voices of Ontarians are paramount to that of developers,” added Strang.
Corporate and Union donations have been prohibited in democracies around the world including the Federal government in Canada. By ending such donations, the Green Party argues that politicians remove even the appearance of undue influence.
“Politics as usual in Ontario is not working,” concluded Schreiner.
“Only one party has the courage to change the way parties function from the campaign up. That is why we need Green MPPs at Queen’s Park.”
Your Green MPPs will: ● End corporate and union donations to political parties, candidates and campaigns in provincial and municipal elections
Media Contact: Rebecca Harrison
Director of Communications Green Party of Ontario 905-999-5479
rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca Sent from Green Party of Ontario
PO Box 1132
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
Canada
Links:
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http://press.gpo.ca/http://press.gpo.ca/index.php?q=civicrm/mailing/optout&reset=1&jid=153&qid=39207&h=dda107b6bc6ee0b6
The FCP had this reform on their books – but were thinking of making an exception for private small businesses.
Unions and Public Businesses should not donate to a particular candidate or party as they cannot (and usually do not) represent all the members and shareholders. Many who may not wish their dues and funds to go to a certain Party or candidate. These union and business entities should be neutral while those within them should choose freely to whom they wish to support financially politically.