Sask. needs tougher political donation laws: former chief electoral officer

Saskatchewan needs to reform its laws governing political donations, says the province's former chief electoral officer.

Myron Kuziak made the comment Monday after Premier Brad Wall's recent fundraising trip to Alberta, where he raised money for the Saskatchewan Party.

Wall took part in a $400-a-plate dinner in Calgary and another fundraising reception in Edmonton.

"The election process here ought to be influenced only by people that live and have a right to vote in and will be affected by government in this province," Kuziak said. "Those from outside the province shouldn't be allowed to meddle in our affairs."

Kuziak said Saskatchewan is falling behind other jurisdictions. The federal government, and Manitoba and Quebec, for example, have banned unions and corporations from donating at all, and most other provinces limit the amount they can give. In Saskatchewan, there are no such limits.

Kuziak, chief electoral officer from 1992 to 1997, also takes issue with the province allowing donations from outside its borders, unlike Manitoba and Alberta where such donations are banned.

Earlier this month, Elections Saskatchewan reported that the Saskatchewan Party brought in about $4.8 million in contributions, including $3 million from corporations, $1.6 million from individuals, and about $130,000 from associations and other contributors.

That's more than double the $2.3 million raised by the Saskatchewan New Democrats. More than half of the NDP money, about $1.3 million, came from individuals. The NDP also received about $586,000 from corporations, $165,000 from trade unions, and about $250,000 from associations and others.

TheSaskatchewan Party has no concerns about the way it solicits donations, according to Justice Minister Don Morgan.

"To place a cap on it is undemocratic unless there is a real perception or a real likelihood that there would be some improper influence," said Morgan.

He said his government's policies are based on what's best for Saskatchewan, and not on what's best for his party's donors.