Clark cancels party stipend after escalating criticism
Premier Christy Clark says she’ll no longer take a $50,000 stipend as leader of the B.C. Liberal Party, after months of criticism that her extra salary and aggressive political fundraising tactics are unethical and inappropriate.
“It’s always been a standard part of the process in British Columbia, but because it’s become a real distraction, what I’ve asked the party to do instead is let’s get rid of it,” Clark said Friday after facing questions about party funding at an unrelated news conference in North Vancouver.
“And then let’s do what all parties’ leaders should do — and I encourage the NDP leader to do this — is ask instead for reimbursable expenses (while on party business) because certainly the NDP leader gets his expenses paid. “I think it is a better way to do it.” Clark’s sudden reversal comes after months of attacks by critics for accepting the money on top of her $195,468.20 salary as premier.
The Opposition NDP has alleged it violated B.C.’s Conflict of Interest Act because it provided a direct personal financial benefit to Clark from party donors who pay to see her at pricey Liberal fundraisers.
However, B.C.’s conflict commissioner cleared Clark in the matter last year.
That ruling is currently being challenged in court by advocacy group Democracy Watch, which alleges conflict commissioner Paul Fraser is himself in a conflict because his son works as a deputy minister in Clark’s government. Clark said that the B.C. Liberal Party has been paying the stipend for 15 years, including to previous leaders.
The party said Clark has been paid $301,900 since she became leader in 2011. The NDP has said it helps cover some costs for leader John Horgan, including clothing, but does not pay him cash like the Liberals.
Clark’s announcement means she won’t accept the $50,000 for the calendar year of 2017.
Clark’s stipend is only part of a larger criticism of B.C.’s political fundraising system, which lacks the limits and rules of some other provinces.
The B.C. NDP and B.C. Greens have promised to ban corporate and union donations if they win the May provincial election, because they say the influence of lavish donations to parties is the equivalent of buying access to politicians, cabinet minsters and the premier herself.