School of Public Policy paper by
Prof. Tom Flanagan
examines contentious party funding rules
CALGARY
,
Jan. 22
/CNW/ - Eliminating or replacing the allowances Canada's federal political parties now receive would involve several difficult policy choices, according to a new study released today by the U of C's School of Public Policy that examines federal political party financing regulations that have threatened to topple the minority Conservative government.
The policy paper by political scientist
Tom Flanagan
and PhD candidate David Coletto argues that eliminating but not replacing the quarterly allowances for political parties might cripple party organizations that have increasingly moved into what the report describes as "permanent campaign mode." Alternatively, parties could be permitted to obtain financing from other sources. However, the one replacement measure Prime Minister
Stephen Harper
has mentioned with favour - a taxpayer check-off system modelled on U.S. experience - has unknown application in the Canadian context and seems unlikely to replace more than 40% of the quarterly allowance revenue, and perhaps a good deal less.
On
27 November 2008
, Finance Minister
Jim Flaherty
delivered a fiscal update with a promise to repeal Elections Canada's allowances for federal political parties, which at the time amounted to
$1.95
per year for each vote received in the previous election.
Opposition parties perceived it as an attempt to cut off their financial lifeline. The Liberals and NDP signed a coalition agreement and proposed a non-confidence vote that, with the support of the Bloc Québécois, would have defeated the Conservative minority. Prime Minister Harper quickly abandoned the proposal to eliminate the allowances.
If there is to be further reform, Flanagan and Coletto argue it would be best to depoliticize the issue by bringing forward a package of moderate measures that could command wide support.
An e-version of the paper is available at www.policyschool.ca - click on "publications".
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For further information: or to schedule interview with Prof. Tom Flanagan please contact: Morten Paulsen, University of Calgary, School of Public Policy, Phone: (403) 399-3377
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