Corporate, union political donations to end in Ontario in new year

Ontario politicians now have one month left to attendfundraising events for their parties before they are banned.

Legislation that dramatically alters the political fundraisinglandscape in Ontario unanimously passed Thursday, including banning corporate and union donations and lowering individual donation limits.

Though all parties voted in favour of it, the leaders of the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP were quick to remind that the Liberals introduced the bill in the first place amid a cash-for-access scandal.

• Ontario Liberals propose ban on top political staff from fundraisers
• IN DEPTH: Ontario's biggest political donors revealed
• Ontario Liberal Party held 100 exclusive fundraising events in 2015

The Liberals were harshly criticized over fundraising events that saw cabinet ministers attend private, high-priced functions with stakeholders.

Under the new law, which comes into effectJan. 1, members ofprovincial parliament, candidates, party leaders, nominationcontestants, leadership contestants, chiefs of staff, premier'sstaff and other party leaders' staff are all banned from attending fundraisers.

Politicians could still, however, attend events where the ticket price only recovers the cost of hosting it, and solicit funds by mail, phone or email.