Tories to turn off taps on political loans

[scribblet]

Steven Fletcher, minister of state for democratic reform, intends to reintroduce a bill that would make it impossible for politicians to rely on hefty loans from wealthy individuals to finance their campaigns. Sounds like a plan !!

http://www.commandnews.com/fpweb/fp.dll/...6LNRVK1O3yaSdwN

Tories to turn off taps on political loans (Political-Loans-Refor)

The Canadian Press Mar 11 16:10

OTTAWA _ The Harper government plans to revive legislation aimed at shutting off the last big money tap in federal politics.

Steven Fletcher, minister of state for democratic reform, intends to reintroduce a bill that would make it impossible for politicians to rely on hefty loans from wealthy individuals to finance their campaigns.

The move is intended to close a ``loophole'' in political financing laws, which Fletcher maintains allowed Liberal leadership contenders to do an end run around strict limits on donations by borrowing huge amounts of money from rich supporters.

``We want to remove the loopholes that were discovered during the Liberal leadership contest,'' Fletcher said in an interview.

``We want to ensure that, in future, all political parties or future leaders do not find themselves beholden to big money, as seems to be the case with the Liberal party.''

Fletcher's comments follow reports that candidates from the 2006 Liberal leadership contest are still struggling to pay off more than $1.4 million in combined loans and unpaid claims.

Stephane Dion, the winner of that contest, borrowed almost $1 million to finance his campaign and still owed $200,000 as of Dec. 31, according to financial statements filed with Elections Canada.

Michael Ignatieff, the runner-up in 2006, paid off $570,000-worth of loans just in time to take over the helm last December, when Dion stepped down.

Only two former contenders _ Bob Rae and Carolyn Bennett _ were debt-free by last June, the 18-month deadline for repaying loans. All the others, including Ignatieff, were granted extensions by Elections Canada of up to 18 months.

Some Liberal insiders privately predict some of the loans will never be repaid. Under the law, Elections Canada can eventually allow candidates to write off loans that have no chance of being repaid.

Fletcher said he hopes to start moving on democratic reform initiatives, including the loans legislation, as soon as Parliament finishes dealing with the budget and related economic bills.

He said the coming loans legislation will be ``very similar'' to two previous bills introduced by the Harper government. Those bills died when Parliament prorogued, never making it through the entire approval process.

The previous bills would have:

_ Banned corporations and unions from lending money to politicians or parties.

_ Prohibited individuals from lending more than $1,100 _ the same amount that an individual is allowed to donate.

_ Allowed only accredited financial institutions, political parties or riding associations to lend more than $1,100.

Toronto MP Gerard Kennedy, who came fourth in the 2006 Liberal leadership contest, said forcing contenders to rely on banks to finance their campaigns will put the banks in the position of deciding who gets to run for party leaderships.

[Progressive Tory]

Steven Fletcher, minister of state for democratic reform, intends to reintroduce a bill that would make it impossible for politicians to rely on hefty loans from wealthy individuals to finance their campaigns. Sounds like a plan !!

Sounds like more eye poking, but I'm for it so long as the Cons do the same. It should also include the classic Tory $ 500.00 a plate luncheons and money laundering through non-profit organizations.

If we really want to stop influence peddling, we have to close all the gaps.

[M.Dancer]

$ 500.00 a plate luncheons and money laundering through non-profit organizations.

If we really want to stop influence peddling, we have to close all the gaps.

Do you really want to see the end of the Liberals so badly?

[Progressive Tory]

Do you really want to see the end of the Liberals so badly?

Is that not what Harper is trying to do? Ending that practice would be the end of a Conservative campaign. He'd be cutting off his nose to spite his face, and he knows it. He's just hitting the one area that he no longer needs - loans. I say if he's going to go there, he's got to go all the way. Nothing from influence peddlars. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. He'd be broke in a week.

He's so friggin' transparent. A blowhard wrapped in cellophane. Stephen Harper is not a leader.

[Alta4ever]

Sounds like more eye poking, but I'm for it so long as the Cons do the same. It should also include the classic Tory $ 500.00 a plate luncheons and money laundering through non-profit organizations.

If we really want to stop influence peddling, we have to close all the gaps.

Tory $500 per plate lunch, When was the last for those, I haven't sen one publisized in years, but I am sur etheir is the odd one in some ridings, but you really don't like those, then I don't think you can support any party, as they all do those $500 per plate events, remeber the liberal "auction" a couple of years ago were they encouraged the attendees to spend more then the donoation limit? The fact is progressive liberal expensive fundraiser dinners are don by every party and if you don't think the liberals do them as well as other parties you are ignorant

[Alta4ever]

Is that not what Harper is trying to do? Ending that practice would be the end of a Conservative campaign. He'd be cutting off his nose to spite his face, and he knows it. He's just hitting the one area that he no longer needs - loans. I say if he's going to go there, he's got to go all the way. Nothing from influence peddlars. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. He'd be broke in a week.

He's so friggin' transparent. A blowhard wrapped in cellophane. Stephen Harper is not a leader.

Realy I seem to recall that the conservatives have the largest fundraising machine. I seem to recall a few large leadership loans which have crippled a certain party who has got nothing left in the bank to fight a campaign.

[normanchateau]

Sounds like more eye poking, but I'm for it so long as the Cons do the same. It should also include the classic Tory $ 500.00 a plate luncheons and money laundering through non-profit organizations.

If we really want to stop influence peddling, we have to close all the gaps.

Seems like a good idea to me. If it had been in place a few years ago, Conrad Black would not have paid off Peter MacKay's loans, and Peter Mackay might not have needed to repay Black by killing the PCs.

[M.Dancer]

Is that not what Harper is trying to do? Ending that practice would be the end of a Conservative campaign.

The liberals hold as many if not more fundraising chicken dinners as anybody...

for example...

WHEN:

Monday, April 6, 2009

6:00pm to 8:00pm

WHERE:

Grand Theatre

608 – 1st Street S.W.

Calgary, Alberta PRICE:

$250.00 (tax receipt for est. $200.00) Proceeds to Michael Ignatieff Leadership Campaign

CONTACT:

For Online payment go to: http://www.liberal.ca/calgarygrand_e.aspx Questions? Shoaib Rasheed call: (403) 615-3399 email: [email protected]

NOTES:

Join Leader Michael Ignatieff for a Grand Cocktail Party! Please submit a completed form with payment to a committee member or sentd via fax or email to Daryl S. Fridhandler Fax: (403) 260-0332 email: [email protected] Tickets will be mailed for orders received by March 30, 2009. Questions should be directed to Shoaib Rasheed at (403) 615-3399 or [email protected] Tickets will be mailed for orders received by March 30, 2009.

[M.Dancer]

Still hungry?

http://www.teambc.ca/lpcbc/events/20090327...0Final%202.html

[DrGreenthumb]

Steven Fletcher, minister of state for democratic reform, intends to reintroduce a bill that would make it impossible for politicians to rely on hefty loans from wealthy individuals to finance their campaigns. Sounds like a plan !!

http://www.commandnews.com/fpweb/fp.dll/&a...6LNRVK1O3yaSdwN

Tories to turn off taps on political loans (Political-Loans-Refor)

The Canadian Press Mar 11 16:10

Sounds like political interference to me. Just an outright attack on the Liberals. I'm not a Liberal but I think this stinks. They have no business telling me who I can loan my money to. If it must be paid back then it is NOT a donation. Nothing but garbage ever comes out of Steven Fletcher, I really dislike that man. His politics stink almost as bad as his personality.

[M.Dancer]

Sounds like political interference to me. Just an outright attack on the Liberals. I'm not a Liberal but I think this stinks. They have no business telling me who I can loan my money to. If it must be paid back then it is NOT a donation.

Okay, I'll loan you $25,000,000. for your election. The interest will be .001% payable in 50 years.

[Progressive Tory]

Realy I seem to recall that the conservatives have the largest fundraising machine. I seem to recall a few large leadership loans which have crippled a certain party who has got nothing left in the bank to fight a campaign.

Exactly. I seem to recall irregularities in the Conservative fundraising machine that caused Elections Canada to sieze all their records. Harper is fighting like hell to keep the boxes sealed, but it was fraudulent documents and forged receipts from guys like Lawrence Cannon, (65 Conservative MPs in all) that resulted in the Search Warrant. He can't keep them sealed forever, but when they're finally opened, he won't need a loan but maybe bail. A certain party will be crippled with nothing left in the bank to fight a campaign.

Hope they all look good in orange jumpsuits.

[DrGreenthumb]

Okay, I'll loan you $25,000,000. for your election. The interest will be .001% payable in 50 years.

thanks man, you are so kind, think you could lower that interest rate a bit tho?

[Argus]

Sounds like more eye poking, but I'm for it so long as the Cons do the same. It should also include the classic Tory $ 500.00 a plate luncheons and money laundering through non-profit organizations.

If we really want to stop influence peddling, we have to close all the gaps.

Most of the Tories' money has always come in small amounts from a great deal of people. Most of the Liberals' money has always come in big fat cheques from the well-off and corporate interests. The loan provision is a way for rich guys to buy up Liberals more easily, so I'm glad the Tories are banning them. I think most senior Liberals are still in debt to people who loaned them noney for their leadership contests, including would-be Prime Minister Iggy. I wonder what promises have been made to those waiting with such extraordinary patience for their money?

[jdobbin]

Steven Fletcher, minister of state for democratic reform, intends to reintroduce a bill that would make it impossible for politicians to rely on hefty loans from wealthy individuals to finance their campaigns. Sounds like a plan !!

This isn't likely to affect the Liberals who aren't having a leadership race.

Think the Conservatives will see it affect their own future leadership race? Maybe the wave of the future is to simply appoint someone.

[M.Dancer]

thanks man, you are so kind, think you could lower that interest rate a bit tho?

You want lower, see a Mazda dealer....but they will only give you 60 months...

[Alta4ever]

Exactly. I seem to recall irregularities in the Conservative fundraising machine that caused Elections Canada to sieze all their records. Harper is fighting like hell to keep the boxes sealed, but it was fraudulent documents and forged receipts from guys like Lawrence Cannon, (65 Conservative MPs in all) that resulted in the Search Warrant. He can't keep them sealed forever, but when they're finally opened, he won't need a loan but maybe bail. A certain party will be crippled with nothing left in the bank to fight a campaign.

Hope they all look good in orange jumpsuits.

what you are refering to has nothing to with fundraising it was to with election spending BIG DIFFERENCE.

It was the liberals that had the problem with elections canada over fundraising or do you forget adscam?

[jdobbin]

It was the liberals that had the problem with elections canada over fundraising or do you forget adscam?

Did you forget "in" and "out"?

[Progressive Tory]

The liberals hold as many if not more fundraising chicken dinners as anybody...

for example...

That's my point. Harper's entire campaign was conducted in a bubble at $500-a-plate dinners and luncheons. If he is going to try to stop influence peddling, he needs to add that to his list. He won't because it would mean economic suicide.

He is looking at things he doesn't need, like loans, while ignoring the non-profit organizations and galas that fund his campaign, in return for our tax dollars funding theirs.

So if he wants to simply stop loans, like the ones he still won't disclose; as a Canadian taxpayer, I want absolutely no money coming from wealthy Canadians to any party, except the minimum $ 1,000, with no tax receipt ot credit of any kind. Parties get the $ 1.95 per vote, that all voting taxpayers contribute, and that's it. Then we'd have a real democracy. All of us on equal footing. Politicians will have to get out and meet with the people.

This is just another poison pen tactic; though reminding Canadians who are suffering that he prefers soliciting funds and bragging about his ability to keep his Party afloat, while he lets them drown, might not be the best tactic right now. I don't care who any party borrows from, so long as they eventually pay it back and it doesn't just become another contribution.

This might not be the most insane thing he's ever done, but it's pretty close. Remind me again how this is going to help the economy? If the other parties borrow money, won't they also spend it?

Edited March 16, 2009 by Progressive Tory

[Alta4ever]

Did you forget "in" and "out"?

That is something that is unresolved about the election spending it wasn't about fundraising.

[jdobbin]

That is something that is unresolved about the election spending it wasn't about fundraising.

Wasn't it? According to Elections Canada it was about fundraising money was washed through the system to bypass spending rules.

Seem to remember the RCMP going through Tory headquarters looking for more evidence.

[normanchateau]

as a Canadian taxpayer, I want absolutely no money coming from wealthy Canadians to any party, except the maximum $ 1,000, with no tax receipt or credit of any kind.

There's zero chance that sleazy Harper would ever do this. His party benefits most from the tax credit and the interests of his party and himself will always come before the interests of the majority of Canadians.

[Progressive Tory]

Tory $500 per plate lunch, When was the last for those, I haven't sen one publisized in years, but I am sur etheir is the odd one in some ridings, but you really don't like those, then I don't think you can support any party, as they all do those $500 per plate events, remeber the liberal "auction" a couple of years ago were they encouraged the attendees to spend more then the donoation limit? The fact is progressive liberal expensive fundraiser dinners are don by every party and if you don't think the liberals do them as well as other parties you are ignorant

Actually, if you read almost every stop in Harper's 'bubble campaign', it was at a $500 a plate luncheon or dinner. There were several in Quebec, many in Calgary. I read one where seniors protested and after promising to speak with them, he instead ran out the back door and into a speeding car. He never once went out to meet ordinary Canadians, so assumes we all eat like that.

At Val-Val-d'Or, Quebec

The MLPC hails the proud workers and people of Abitibi-Temiscamingue who vigorously demonstrated on September 29 against the presence of Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the region. For about an hour, nearly 500 workers, teachers, environmentalists, First Nations people, artists and others blocked the highway used to get in or out of the region. They then held a rally close to where Harper was speaking at a $500-a-plate dinner.

In Calgary

"Stephen Harper snuck into Calgary on September 26 to hold what amounted to a private meeting with Calgary’s elite. The details of his visit were kept a closely guarded secret until just before he spoke at the Calgary Winter Club, a private club on the edge of Nose Hill Park in Northwest Calgary. As in Edmonton the day before, Harper only spoke to an "invitation-only" meeting. He made a brief stop at his Calgary Southwest campaign office where he arrogantly refused to speak to seniors who were demanding an increase to the old age security pension and improvements to benefits."

Harper told the CBC the same day that the Conservative Party "remains the only party that shares any connection with Alberta." That was a pretty frank admission that for him "Albertans" means the wealthy elite who are selling out Canada for their private gain. Any Albertans who have not declared their loyalty to Harper are considered persona not grata. The reception which the workers and seniors received shows the power and privilege of the Conservatives and that the business-parties in the Parliament are a power wielded against the people.

[Progressive Tory]

Seems like a good idea to me. If it had been in place a few years ago, Conrad Black would not have paid off Peter MacKay's loans, and Peter Mackay might not have needed to repay Black by killing the PCs.

Conrad Black also brought in truckloads of cash when the Reform Party was getting started. I think something like $ 120,000 alone from Hollinger within a year or two. He gave Peter McKay the 500,000 as purchase price for the PCs and so he wouldn't run against Stephen Harper for leadership of the new Party. He never got his money's worth though. He did much better with Margaret Thatcher. She knew how to play the game.

[Alta4ever]

Wasn't it? According to Elections Canada it was about fundraising money was washed through the system to bypass spending rules.

Seem to remember the RCMP going through Tory headquarters looking for more evidence.

It was about how money was spent on regional advertising and local advertising during an election that makes it and election spending issue.

But why let the facts get in your way.