TODD Stone, BC Liberal MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson, introduced the Local Election Campaign Financing Amendment Act in the Legislature on Monday.

“The purpose of this bill is to bring the local election finance rules in line with the provincial rules,” said Stone. “Last year, we supported a bill to take big money out of politics but inconsistencies in the NDP’s rushed legislation have opened a fundraising loophole at the municipal level. This bill closes that loophole.”

The Local Elections Campaign Financing Act refers to “campaign contributions” being capped at $1,200 per individual. Elections BC determined that this wording means there are no limits on money raised by municipal parties for non-campaign uses such as daily operations.

“We want to ensure that all campaign finance legislation is consistent and thorough,” said Stone. “By introducing this bill today, we are making sure that corporate and union donations are not a part of politics at any level, which is what British Columbians have been asking for.”