LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

Official Record of Debate
(Hansard)

POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

March 3, 2005

Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington): My question is to the Minister of Finance, who is also the chief fundraiser for the Liberal caucus. I return to the issue that's been raised in recent days concerning the odour emanating from the greenbelt developer fundraiser hosted by the minister's brother, where unidentified developers paid $10,000 to have direct, unfiltered access to the Premier and this minister, while at the same time the government was considering the greenbelt boundaries. The facts, as I understand them, raise serious questions about the integrity of this government. This fundraiser does not pass the smell test, for it appears that the government's favour may have been for sale.

Today, I've asked legislative counsel to begin drafting a bill that I would hope to be able to introduce next week before the House rises, which would compel the established political parties in Ontario to disclose on their Web sites all significant financial contributions they receive the day they cash the cheques. Knowing the minister's expertise in political fundraising, his position on this bill would carry a lot of weight within his caucus.

My question is this: Will he express support for the principle of this kind of real-time disclosure of all significant contributions to our political parties, our riding associations and local candidates?

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Hon. Greg Sorbara (Minister of Finance): I'll just say to my friend from Waterloo-Wellington that he is generally a person of integrity in this Legislature, and this question is not worthy of him. But I will say I am strongly in support, I tell my friend, of the notion of real-time disclosure. It was in our campaign literature. It will be the subject of a bill brought forward by the Attorney General in due course. It could be brought forth sooner if there were all-party agreement to do that.

But to my friend from Waterloo-Wellington and his friend from the east, Mr. Runciman, I think your conduct today is shocking.

The Speaker: Supplementary?

Mr. John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): My question is also for the Minister of Finance. This offer to agree with the other political parties to do real-time disclosure has never been raised before today. It's the government's problem. They're the ones who have to go ahead and do it.

I was out on the lawn yesterday and spoke to hundreds of farmers, and I couldn't find one of them who was at the $10,000 soiree; not one. No group of people is more affected by this greenbelt legislation than our farmers, but not one of them could buy a ticket to the $10,000 influence-for-sale soiree. Yet the government, which is selling influence with the Premier -- "How do you want the lines drawn? Send in a $10,000 cheque with your suggestion on the back."

The Speaker: Order. I just want to examine -- the words you are saying and using are very unparliamentary. I'd like you to withdraw that statement.

Mr. Yakabuski: Which words, Speaker? If I've said something unparliamentary, I withdraw.

The Speaker: You withdraw? That's all I want to hear. Go ahead.

Mr. Yakabuski: What I've asked the government --

The Speaker: Thank you.

Mr. Yakabuski: Can I not finish my question?

The Speaker: You've used up your time.

Minister?

Hon. Mr. Sorbara: I'm delighted that my friend has finally taken some interest in the plight of farmers in this province. I should tell him that as late as this morning, I was meeting with representatives from the oil, corn and grain producers association of Ontario. I can tell him that in virtually every one of my pre-budget consultations I heard very clear and precise concerns from farmers talking about the crisis as a result of the collapse of grain prices and the crisis as a result of BSE and the closure of the Canadian border. I've heard from farmers from every corner of this province, and I just want to tell my friend that his approach in this way to advocacy of the issues of farmers in this Parliament does not help the issue one iota.