On Sept. 18, Bill 3, The Election Amendment Act, was introduced to the legislature. It would provide political parties with $28 million in subsidies over the next four years, and would create a permanent taxpayer subsidy for 50 per cent of election campaign expenses. This would mean taxpayers would have to contribute financially to political parties whether they voted for them or not.
Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes said she is opposed to the Bill.
“All three parties agreed to support legislation to limit corporate and union donations,” she said.
“But no one was expecting the Premier to flip-flop on his promise and introduce taxpayer subsidies. I don’t think it’s fair to force someone to make a financial contribution to a political party they don’t support. Nobody voted for this in the last election.”