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Campaign Contributions Questions: One Man's Opinion

By Ben Meisner

-by Ben Meisner

When you read over the list of contributors to last fall's  civic election campaign, the question of why there are not more people excusing themselves from a vote in the Council Chamber immediately comes to mind. 

There is a process whereby the voting public can trigger a day in court for someone who they believe should not have taken part in a city council vote, the problem however is that many of those decisions are with companies that are numbered or bear no relation to the company which they operate. 

Numbered companies are supposed to identify at least one of the shareholders.  It is not clear whether companies, who are operating, for example as XYZ, but in reality are a neighborhood pub need to identify themselves. 

A lot of what can be called major money was thrown into the campaign coffers this past fall. In one case two related companies contributed $7500.00 to the Mayor's campaign. 

One company, Maisonette Home Products (linked to a down town re- development) said at their announcement that they were not getting involved in local politics. Is a $ 1,000 contribution during the campaign not getting involved?  I leave that up to you. 

On the other hand, lets consider a blanket application for something involved with the local liquor outlets.

Colin Kinsley received well over 10% of his campaign contributions from this one source, would that be a conflict? 

Then there is the matter of whether the Mayor should be sitting in judgment on matters related to gambling in this city. He, along with a number of others who ran in the campaign received substantial contributions, would a vote on any gambling issue be considered in conflict?  

You might also raise the same set of issues when you factor in Dan Rogers, who received substantial support from CUPE ($7,000) and had he been Mayor certainly should not have been in council in which a CUPE decision is being made.  

In the case of Sherry Sethen she received a contribution of $ 1200.00 dollars from David McWalters, given that her total campaign contributions were $7,395.00 that amounts to just fewer than 20% of what she collected. Should she excuse herself when McWalters or his company appears before council?  

Again I leave that up to you. 

Throughout the candidate’s declarations, there are examples of some serious money being handed over to their respective campaign coffers. 

It takes 10 registered voters from the city to seek a dismissal of the council or Mayor before the Supreme Court if they feel that their has been a conflict and it has not been dealt with. 

Have we had examples where councilors should have excused themselves?   I think we have.

I’m Meisner and that is one man's opinion.




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