Waiting For An Answer Jack

Is the NDP encouraging illegal political donations?
Posted by Steve Janke of the Blogging Tories on March 07, 2007 at 11:43 PM
Related articles: Technorati Cosmos :: Canadian Blog Exchange

The new donations rules enacted by the Conservatives limit political donations. Only individuals can donate, not organizations, and there is a limit of $1,000 per year. No more donations from corporations and unions, and the old limit of $5,000 is out the window.

So how is it that the NDP has a page up encouraging donations from unions in excess of $1,000?

The main donations page for the NDP seems to follow the rules. But there is another page, the "Working Families Fund", that is quite different. You can get to it via the NDP newsletter.

The fund (copyrighted for 2007) is clearly a form of political contribution:

Stephen Harper has turned his back on Canada’s working families. Big business is benefiting, not ordinary Canadians like you. Maybe that’s why he gets so much money from his corporate friends.

Now you and your friends and co-workers can even the playing field for ordinary Canadians

Donations to the NDP are tax creditable. You get up to 75% of your donation back.

But here's the odd thing. The Working Families Fund encourages group donations via unions and other groups:

Sign up now, individually or as part of your union local or progressive team. Launch your NDP fundraising campaign today.

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