Ontario political fundraising rules to be reviewed at consultation in Waterloo Region

Ontarians will get a chance to have their say when members of the provincial government come to the Kitchener-Waterloo area to go over proposed reforms on election finances.

In a release, Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris announced the standing committee on general government will be in Waterloo Region during the week of July 25 to evaluate measures in Bill 201 — the Election Finances Statute Law Amendment Act. 

In May, the Liberal government proposed new rules around political fundraising that would ban corporate and union donations while reducing the amount individuals could contribute. 

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To offset the loss in donations from larger groups, the province, under Premier Kathleen Wynne, proposed taxpayers pay $2.26 per vote for each one received by the parties. 

Other measures are included in the bill and the upcoming meetings will give members of the public an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed changes. 

Those interested in providing input at the session must provide their name, mailing address, email address and phone number to the clerk of the committee by 5 p.m. on July 7. A location, time and date for the meeting has yet to be announced. 

Ontarians have until Aug. 15 to voice opinions on the matter to Sylwia Przezdziecki, the committee clerk.

She can be reached at: sprzezdziecki@ola.org — 416-325-3515 — room 1405, Whitney Block at Queen's Park, Toronto, Ont., M7A 1A2.