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Debate stifled over disclosure of donations

June 10, 2010

Debate stifled over disclosure of political campaign donations

NDP invite Albertans to participate in committee process

EDMONTON – A secretive move by the PCs and Wildrose Alliance to stifle debate on the disclosure of leadership campaign donations is undemocratic, NDP leader Brian Mason said today.

“The two parties want to keep their list of leadership campaign donors secret, so they're trying to keep secret the upcoming committee meeting where the disclosure issue will be discussed,” Mason said.

Wildrose and PC members of the Public Safety and Services Committee recently decided to not notify the public of an upcoming meeting in which a proposal to disclose donor lists for leadership campaigns will be discussed.

Committees traditionally notify the public in advance of such meetings.

“Albertans are fed up with the lack of transparency among Tories and the Wildrose Alliance. They want to know, and deserve to know, who is paying to get party leaders elected.”

“Ed Stelmach had made this the most secretive government in Canada, and Danielle Smith’s got her party running a close second,” Mason said.

The NDP encourages Albertans to share their views about disclosing leadership campaign donations by contacting the committee clerk at 780-644-8621 or committees@assembly.ab.ca.

The NDP wants legislation changed to include public disclosure of leadership campaign donations and a contribution cap of $5,000.

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