MPP Arnott’s Bill to make significant political contributions public as soon as cheques are cashed

Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott tabled a Private Member’s Bill in the Ontario Legislature on March 8th that would require Ontario’s provincial political parties to post significant financial contributions on a website on the same day as the cheques are cashed.

“Elected officials should make decisions based on the public interest, free of any undue influence by those who donate money to their parties. Ontarians rightly expect us to govern with integrity,” Mr. Arnott said.

Mr. Arnott first raised the issue during Question Period on March 3rd, in a question to Finance Minister Greg Sorbara. He told the House that he was working with Legislative Counsel to draft a bill to modernize the election financing rules. Since that time, the Government and an NDP MPP have both introduced similar bills.

Mr. Arnott’s Bill would require provincial political parties in Ontario to post on their websites (on the Internet), information on donations of $100 or more at the time they are deposited. This includes donations to the political parties, each of their constituency associations, official candidates, or leadership contestants. The information would consist of the contributor and the amount of the contribution.

“I believe the Bill that I have introduced will be strongest in terms of enhancing transparency and accountability because political parties will be compelled to post the information immediately, at the same time as the money is deposited,” Mr. Arnott said.