Ford would be smart to clean up political fundraising rules

Ah summer — long lazy days, barbecues and trips to the cottage.

For Premier Doug Ford, this should be a time to unwind and forget about unpopular budgets, being booed in public and potty-mouthed cabinet ministers.

Unfortunately, this is not going to happen. In response to the current patronage scandal facing his government, the premier has committed to spend the summer reforming Ontario’s public appointments system.

Although I have no sense of the solution that will emerge, it probably won’t work.

Why? Because trying to reform anything in politics is like changing the oil in your snowblower: Neither should be done in the middle of a storm.

Yet, that is usually what happens. A major scandal erupts, and the government of the day responds through some lastminute, slapped-together policy prescription that pleases no one and fails to address the underlying problem.

Ford’s response to the current crisis is reminiscent of Kathleen Wynne’s attempt to reform political financing. Mired in a fundraising scandal, the Liberals hastily changed Ontario’s political fundraising rules. They lowered donation limits, banned corporate and union donations and introduced a per vote subsidy to offset the expected loss in revenue.

Although the changes passed unanimously, it was because no party wanted to be on the wrong side of the issue. Nobody was happy, including most Liberals.

What really irked political types was how the new rules treated politicians and their staff. Although they could still theoretically hit up donors, they were forbidden from attending the actual fundraiser. Invitations saying: “Come to a reception to support your local candidate — but be assured they won’t be there” tend not to produce a great deal of ticket sales.

One of the first things the Ford government did was change the system again. With no consultation or fanfare, they increased donation limits, announced a phase out of government subsidies and allowed politicians to attend events. They also eliminated some of the safeguards that prevented corporations or unions from indirectly contributing to a party.

They then threw a massive fundraiser and put pressure on various lobbyists to sell tickets to their stakeholders.

Here is my pitch. With attention focused on other issues such as patronage, why not add political fundraising reform to the summer agenda (full disclosure, I fundraised when I was in office)? Take advantage of the relative calm on this front to consult properly and adopt some wellthought-out solutions.

Why should voters care about fundraising rules? Because when it comes to politics, money is the root of almost all evil.

The easiest way to raise a lot of money is to go after people who have an interest in influencing government, creating uncomfortable relationships. No, a donation is not going to guarantee you a favourable policy decision but it can help get a meeting organized or a call returned quickly. It also tends to make ministers and MPPs think twice before implementing measures that might negatively affect a donor.

Unless there are comprehensive reforms to Ontario’s fundraising rules, it is quite likely the Ford government will eventually face another ethical firestorm. There has already been considerable controversy about their use of lobbyists to raise funds. What might reform involve? Although I have advocated for ending political fundraising, this is probably unrealistic. How about lowering donation limits (Quebec has a limit of $100) and increasing transparency? Why not rethink subsidies — taxpayers are on the hook anyway through the generous tax credits given for donations.

Don’t forget third parties. Groups such as Ontario Proud and the Working Families coalition, with their targeted attacks on certain political parties, have added little to political discourse in Ontario.

During the first big snowstorm of the year, I am always happy that I changed the oil in my snowblower the previous spring.