The Alberta NDP Government are looking to make another change to the Fair Elections Act by making sure all parties follow their spending limit.

During an election campaign, a single party is only allowed to spend $2 Million but Minister for Democratic Renewal Christina Gray said there are some ways that parties can work around that.

Minister For Democratic Renewal Christina Gray (Photo Courtesy: Government of Alberta)

“If there were multiple parties that are associated and working towards the same goal, rather than a 2 million dollar spending limit, they can have a 4 or 6 million dollar spending limit so that is being taken into account. The reason we are introducing legislation today is because we know that this loophole exists and other parties could take advantage of it.”

There was plenty of confusion during the press conference as some asked the Minister if parties have ever colluded to spend beyond their limit in the past.

“I can’t identify an individual,” said Gray. “But I was made aware that there was this opportunity for multiple parties to all use this 2 million dollar spending cap.”

Gray couldn’t comment on whether the merger between the Alberta PC Party and the Wildrose factored into the decision to write the Bill.

“What we want to make sure is that these rules are clear and official for future elections. Again, the Official Opposition has made that public agreement. I believe this is not something that they will have an objection to. We just want to make sure that there are clear, transparent rules into the future.”

Liberal Leader David Khan said that the Bill does not address the big issues whatsoever, with parties still able to accept donations from unions and corporations.

“The NDP dances around the edges looking to close loopholes that benefit the UCP but fails to address the obvious benefits to the NDP."

Bill 16 will also repeal a section of The Fair Elections Act that allows new parties, if formed in the last four months of the year, to wait up to 19 months to file their first annual financial statement.

We reached out to the United Conservative Party to ask if they felt this repealing was directed towards them.

So far, we have not had a response.

 

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