John Courtney a retired U of S poli sci prof. agrees. . There seems no good reason for the NDP to have acted in this manner except to not bother listing donors. THe other parties do so. I believe that Sask. Party may actually have filed a complaint. It could be a bit of an embarassment but is not that big of an issue. Surely everyone knows that the Sask. NDP is a third way type that will get money and support beyond the confines of solid working class comrades etc. If some Sask. companies should buy tickets for an NDP dinner no one is going to ostracise them!
Election 2007 News
Calvert NDP Breaks Election Law by Hiding Millions of Dollars in Donations
$2.5 Million in Hidden Donations to NDP Since Calvert Took Office
Friday - October 19, 2007
The Calvert NDP has violated The Elections Act by refusing to disclose the sources of over $2.5 million in party donations since Lorne Calvert took office.
Saskatchewan Party candidate Nancy Heppner today demanded that Lorne Calvert immediately disclose his $2.5 million hidden donation list.
“The law is clear,” Heppner said. “Every donation of over $250 must be disclosed. The NDP has broken the law by collecting over $2.5 million in hidden donations since Lorne Calvert took office and he needs to explain why.”
The NDP has stated that, if a donation is made through the sales of tickets to an event and no tax receipt is requested, the donor list does not need to be disclosed.
That’s simply not the case, according to The Election Act.
Jean Ouellet, the province's chief electoral officer, said Section 250 of The Election Act indicates that a party's annual return must set out the amount of money provided by individuals, corporations, trade unions, associations or other group of persons, in the fiscal year for use by the party. The name of the donor and the specific amount contributed are required when the contribution is in excess of $250, the act says.
“Tax receipts have absolutely nothing to do with whether you have to disclose donations,” Heppner said. “You can’t hide donations by simply not issuing a tax receipt.”
The NDP has collected over $2.5 million through sales of tickets to events since 2001 without disclosing the names of the donors. Heppner said both the Saskatchewan Party and the Liberals comply with the Act by providing full disclosure of the names of all donors, including those who donate by purchasing tickets to events.
For a complete backgrounder, click here.
Heppner said the Saskatchewan Party will consider filing a formal complaint with the Chief Electoral Office if Lorne Calvert does not release his hidden donation list immediately.
“The NDP seems to think the law doesn’t apply to them,” Heppner said. “What is Lorne Calvert hiding?”
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For more information, Saskatchewan Party, Regina, 359-1638 or 1-800-966-9611.
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