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Bunk · 09-26-2011, 11:42 AM

Seskus: Mayor aims for election finance 'fairness'

By Tony Seskus, Calgary Herald

The Wild West - that's what they called us.

Not for our cowboy heritage, however. That's what Alberta was branded for the campaign finance rules that used to govern our civic politicians.

There was a time when a sitting alderman could raise all of the campaign funds possible and, upon leaving office, ride off into the sunset with any surplus.

The provincial government put an end to the Wild West by passing a private member's bill a couple of years ago.

The rule changes included an annual cap on donations of $5,000 per donor and a requirement that campaign surpluses be used only for future elections or be donated to a registered charity.

But gaps in the legislation created all sorts of confusion ahead of the 2010 civic election.

As per Better Idea #6 the Mayor is asking for changes to municipal campaign finance and disclosure rules from the Province (or allowing the municipalities to choose their own rules).

Tweaks to try to improve the bill created some of their own problems, and now civic officials are seeking further repairs.

You'll hear more about it this week when members of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association meet in Calgary for their annual convention.

But if there was ever a time to push for tighter campaign finance rules - with a provincial review of the legislation apparently coming - it looks like this is it...

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Se...#ixzz1Z55wkzCU

Also - the Mayor's Blog on this topic.

Politics should be about the best ideas, not the most money

http://blog.calgarymayor.ca/2011/09/...ideas-not.html

09-26-2011, 11:42 AM	#69
Bunk Franchise Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Exp:	Seskus: Mayor aims for election finance 'fairness' By Tony Seskus, Calgary Herald The Wild West - that's what they called us. Not for our cowboy heritage, however. That's what Alberta was branded for the campaign finance rules that used to govern our civic politicians. There was a time when a sitting alderman could raise all of the campaign funds possible and, upon leaving office, ride off into the sunset with any surplus. The provincial government put an end to the Wild West by passing a private member's bill a couple of years ago. The rule changes included an annual cap on donations of $5,000 per donor and a requirement that campaign surpluses be used only for future elections or be donated to a registered charity. But gaps in the legislation created all sorts of confusion ahead of the 2010 civic election. As per Better Idea #6 the Mayor is asking for changes to municipal campaign finance and disclosure rules from the Province (or allowing the municipalities to choose their own rules). Tweaks to try to improve the bill created some of their own problems, and now civic officials are seeking further repairs. You'll hear more about it this week when members of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association meet in Calgary for their annual convention. But if there was ever a time to push for tighter campaign finance rules - with a provincial review of the legislation apparently coming - it looks like this is it... Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Se...#ixzz1Z55wkzCU Also - the Mayor's Blog on this topic. Politics should be about the best ideas, not the most money http://blog.calgarymayor.ca/2011/09/...ideas-not.html __________________ Trust the snake.