NDP proposes even tougher campaign finance and spending laws aimed to prevent the other parties from gaining an advantage on them:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...tics-1.3871491
Of note:
- Almost no bill that uses the word "fair" in the title actually is.
- Reduces the individual cap on donations by 73-83%
- Limits entire party spending in an election to $2 million and on any single candidate to $50k.
- Severely limits third-party advertising during an election year, but sets no limit at all outside of one. I'm guessing that is to protect public unions' ability to advertise freely.
-The lack of a non-election year cap is designed to try and prevent a constitutional challenge. Except, as a layman, I think they sink themselves with their own argument. Section 2 of the charter does not get suspended in an election year, so by implicitly arguing that spending caps are unconstitutional in non-election years, the NDP similarly makes an implict argument this bill is unconstitutional in an election year.
-Only Alberta-based donors are blocked. If you're from outside Alberta? Sky's the limit!
-Seeks to interfere with the internal party processes by forcing any declared candidate for any party's leadership to disclose spending and donors.
-And, of course, no limits on government advertising, even in an election year. Because Notley doesn't want to have to play by the same rules she intends to hold everyone else to.
