Coon introduces bill to ban political donations from corporations, trade unions

Green Party Leader David Coon has introduced a bill that would ban political donations from corporations and trade unions.

The proposed changeto the Political Process Financing Act is a response to concerns Coon says he's heard from New Brunswickers about possible corporate interference in government decisions.

"There's a lot of concern around the province, and there has been for some time, that corporate donations in particularthey have some influence over the decision-making of future governments," Coon said Thursday.

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The rules in New Brunswick allow corporations and unions to donate up to $6,000 to each registered party, including the party's riding associations andcandidates. Contributions of services or property are included in the $6,000.

Many jurisdictions, including the federal government and the provinces of Manitoba, Alberta and Nova Scotia, have already barred corporations and unions from contributing to political parties or candidates.

Coon, the only Green Party member of the legislature, said he hasn't had the chance to speak with his colleagues from other parties about the bill. It drew jeers, however, from some Opposition Progressive Conservatives when he introduced it earlier in the day.

"There certainly were some nays at first reading from the official Opposition side," he said. "The government side was quiet."

The Progressive Conservatives said later that they would reserve comment until they read the bill.

TheLiberals are calling it "premature."

"While we think Mr. Coon's bill is well intended and thought out, the timing of the bill is premature as the subject is being reviewed by the newly struck Commission on Electoral Reform," Deputy House Leader Victor Boudreau said in an emailed statement to CBC News.

"Our government will await the outcome of the commission's consultation process and subsequent report before addressing specific issues related to electoral reform," he said.

Coon called the proposed legislation just a first step toward reducing the influence of corporations on the political process and government. He wouldalso like to see all tax breaks granted to corporations made available for public scrutiny. And it's time, he said, for the government to act on legislation to set up a lobbyist registry.

"The law has been passed," Coon said. "It's been sitting there gathering dust. We're quickly becoming one of the few provinces without a lobbyist registry," he said.