Campaign Finance Reform

Just moved the following motion at Council which was approved unanimously (the controversial discussion will come in late February when the report comes back):

That Admin provide an information report to Council on:

1. recent bylaw changes in Calgary to disclosure and campaign finance rules coming into effect for the 2010 election (including voluntary commitments) and with a comparison to our current rules,
2. any other similar substantive changes in other Alberta municipalities that they may be aware of,
3. any update on the Government’s consideration of Bill 203, the ‘LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION (FINANCE AND CONTRIBUTION DISCLOSURE) AMENDMENT ACT, 2009’

For some background, see this blog post about Council’s ruminations on the Province’s Bill 203 from the spring.

Some background from Calgary is also relevant: This was the first story, and the big change is a $5000 limit to donations from any one part, which jives with Bill 203.

Further clippings of interest:

• Dec 2 Herald follow up;
• Don Braid’s Comment;
• Dec. 4 Herald Editorial.

We’re still better in many respects than either Bill 203 or Calgary in our current practices, but we’re now officially behind when it comes to limits to individual contributions.

Calgary’s also encouraging a voluntary pre-disclosure of all funds raised prior to nomination day.