Yukon NDP call for reform of election donation rules
Time to 'end big money in politics' says NDP leader Liz Hanson
Yukon's official opposition has tabled a private member's bill that would overhaul political donation rules in the territory.
The NDP's proposed "Fairness in Political Contributions Act" would end donations from unions, corporations, and non-Yukoners, and set an annual limit of $1,500 on individual donations.
Leader Liz Hanson says it's time to end "big money" in politics, and called on the government and the Liberals to support the bill.
"We hope that it will strengthen our democracy and encourage ordinary Yukoners to play a bigger part in our political process, and have a greater say in how it plays out."
Hanson pointed to a law passed by the NDP government in Alberta, which bans union and corporate donations while imposing individual limits.
The NDP say Yukon's Elections Act could be changed before the end of the spring sitting, just in time to be applied to the election later this year.
NDP grandstanding, says government
The government does not seems supportive, with the house leader accusing the NDP of grandstanding.
In a motion introduced Tuesday in the legislature, MLA Darius Elias said the NDP had ample opportunity to weigh in on the topic before this election year.
"This house urges the leader of the NDP to explain why [they] chose not to work collaboratively in proposing changes to the Elections Act, regarding political contribution rules," he said.
Elias cited several examples of times when the NDP might have pursued the issue, dating back to the days immediately following the territorial election of 2011. That's when the chief electoral officer asked all the parties for input following the election.
Elias said the NDP had another opportunity to raise the issue two years ago, when the chief electoral officer asked all the parties what changes they would like made to the Elections Act.
Elias also noted the NDP voted unanimously to pass Bill 91, amending the Yukon Elections Act, last fall.
Liz Hanson said her party's new bill will be called for debate during this session.
In the past two years, the NDP tabled three other private members' bills: one on crossing the floor, another on lobbying, and another on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a worker's compensation issue.
The clerk of the legislative assembly said none of those bills were ever brought forward for debate.