Corporate, union political donations to end in Ontario in new year
Ontario politicians now have 1 month left to attend fundraising events for their parties
Ontario politicians now have one month left to attend fundraising events for their parties before they are banned.
Legislation that dramatically alters the political fundraising landscape in Ontario unanimously passed Thursday, including banning corporate and union donations and lowering individual donation limits.
Though all parties voted in favour of it, the leaders of the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP were quick to remind that the Liberals introduced the bill in the first place amid a cash-for-access scandal.
- Ontario Liberals propose ban on top political staff from fundraisers
- IN DEPTH: Ontario's biggest political donors revealed
- Ontario Liberal Party held 100 exclusive fundraising events in 2015
The Liberals were harshly criticized over fundraising events that saw cabinet ministers attend private, high-priced functions with stakeholders.
Under the new law, which comes into effect Jan. 1, members of provincial parliament, candidates, party leaders, nomination contestants, leadership contestants, chiefs of staff, premier's staff and other party leaders' staff are all banned from attending fundraisers.
Politicians could still, however, attend events where the ticket price only recovers the cost of hosting it, and solicit funds by mail, phone or email.