From a news release announcing Manitoba's legislation outlawing corporate and union political donations....

Amendments Fulfil Election Promise,

Help Restore Trust in Government: Doer

Banning contributions from corporations and unions, establishing a $3,000 annual individual donation limit and limiting spending by third parties during election campaigns are highlights of proposed changes to the Elections Act and the Elections Financing Act introduced in the legislature by Premier Gary Doer today.

"It is essential that Manitobans’ faith in the integrity of the electoral process be strengthened," said Doer. "The legislation introduced today will be a big step towards ensuring that all parties play by the same rules and that governments are not perceived to be beholden to interests that contribute to political campaigns."

One of the changes would implement a long-standing request from the chief electoral officer to ensure that electoral returning officers are completely non-partisan appointments.

Doer also noted that the proposed changes are designed to ensure that individual citizens have the right to fully participate in the democratic process.

"The changes to the Elections Act will also encourage employers to give unpaid leaves of absence to employees who are actively participating in the electoral process," Doer said. He added this provision is consistent with provincial legislation surrounding the rights of individuals and employers concerning jury duty.

Highlights of proposed changes to the Elections Finances Act include:

banning all donations from corporate, union and other organization sources--limiting contributions solely to those given by individuals residing in Manitoba;

establishing a $3,000 annual limit on donations to political parties by individuals;

establishing regulations for third parties that spend more than $500 on election communications, including requiring that they register with the chief electoral officer, limiting spending to $5,000 and requiring that they file a return about spending and contributions;

requiring that complete records of contributions be kept and disclosed to Elections Manitoba;

placing an annual limit of $50,000 on advertising spending by each political party and reinstating a separate limit for parties and candidates during election campaigns;

increasing maximum fines for offences under the act; and

ensuring that polling and related costs will now be considered election expenses.

Highlights of proposed changes to the Elections Act include:

giving the chief electoral officer, instead of cabinet, the authority to appoint returning officers, thereby removing politics from the process--a long-standing recommendation of the chief electoral officer;

shortening the minimum period of an election from 36 days to 33 days (provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario have shortened their minimum election periods to just 28 days);

requiring that a byelection be held in the case of a tie vote rather than having the returning officer cast adeciding vote;

instituting new "registration officers" to work on election day to assist in adding names to the list in some high-density areas where enumeration efforts may have missed significant numbers from the voters list;

protecting the right of citizens to participate in the democratic process by requiring employers (if certain conditions are met) to give unpaid leaves of absence to employees who are candidates, election officials or designated volunteers working for parties;

clarifying candidates’ ability to canvass and distribute material in apartments and other multiple residences; and

requiring the chief electoral officer to review and report to the legislature on the full potential cost savings impact for the province due to the elimination of tax-deductible union and corporate donations, with a view towards a possible revenue-neutral redistribution of those savings to the political parties.

"The legislation introduced today could well mean less money for political parties," said Doer. "However, it will increase the ability of ordinary people to participate in politics and make sure that individuals’ voices are heard."

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