Photo by Whitehorse Star
NDP Leader Kate White
Party leaders clashed over donations issue
Sometimes, doing the minimum amount of work isn’t enough...particularly in politics and government.
Sometimes, doing the minimum amount of work isn’t enough...particularly in politics and government.
That was the message NDP Leader Kate White had for Premier Sandy Silver during question period on Nov. 30.
The two clashed once again on the issue of political donations.
White is insisting the Liberals release more details on a fundraising event in Vancouver that garnered the party approximately $100,000.
No names associated with the event and the amounts donated have been released, and White called that unacceptable.
Silver countered by asserting several times the information the Liberals released on the event meet the minimum reporting standards required by legislation.
“We’re working within the rules of fundraising,” he insisted. “It was a very successful year for donations, and we are well within the rules.”
White scoffed at that, both during question period and a media scrum afterward.
“The Liberals found a loophole,” she said. “It doesn’t make it ethical or moral. It doesn’t look good on the government. Leadership is not about doing the minimum.”
During a media scrum, White noted the Liberals had carried out a similar fundraiser in 2017.
The party released the names then, White said, and she found it curious they decided on a reversal of policy since that time.
“It’s fascinating. In 2017, they disclosed who was at Rogers Arena and now they’re not. I’m trying to figure it out.
“If you were a corporation and you called the premier, you’d have to disclose that. But the same corporation could send representatives to a hockey game for a fundraiser and you don’t have to disclose; that’s of concern.”
Current regulations call for the sources of all donations of more than $250 to be identified, White said.
“If we want to talk about transparency and who is supporting the party for elections, part of that is listing who contributed more than $250.”
Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar
In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.
Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.
Comments (4)
Up 3 Down 1
Moose on Dec 24, 2020 at 11:25 pm
The NDP should stop pretending to be a real political party. They are nothing more than the political arm of the unions. People who pay union dues should just donate directly to the NDP and skip the middle man.
It's a scary thought that Kate seems to have some momentum, god help the economy in the Yukon if Kate White and the NDP win the next election. I'm quite happy with the economy we have right now, thank you very much. Most of my buddies in construction have had work non-stop for the past year. If the NDP win, we can kiss that good bye.
Up 5 Down 3
Spud on Dec 23, 2020 at 10:39 am
I make monthly donations to political parties except NDP and have stopped to Yukon Party because their leader is acting like an elected Member. The dippers are just nosy trouble makers with no chance of forming govt.
Up 14 Down 14
Lifetime Yukoner on Dec 21, 2020 at 3:42 pm
I make donations to political parties and don't want every person to know who I donate to. That's my right. I especially don't want the socialist opposition who live in debt as a party to know about my donations.
Up 60 Down 11
TMYK on Dec 21, 2020 at 1:29 pm
There is zero difference between a fundraiser for a political party and a donation. They should be treated no different and yet the liberals are enjoying this loophole in plane sight and thumbing their noses at the electorate. Everyone knows they are hiding something but transparency has never been a Liberal quality.