2017 Legislative Session: 6th Session, 40th Parliament

FIRST READING

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.

The printed version remains the official version.

MS. VICKI HUNTINGTON

BILL M 203 – 2017

ELECTION (CASH FOR ACCESS ELIMINATION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2017

HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

This Act amends the Election Act to prohibit members of the Executive Council from attending fundraising functions. The Act also bars members of the Executive Council from personally soliciting political contributions, as well as from attending or inviting individuals and organizations to attend fundraising functions. The same rules would apply to employees in the Office of the Premier or any member of the Executive Council.

These amendments will reduce the perception of conflicts of interest by eliminating "cash for access" fundraisers. Prohibiting cabinet ministers from personally soliciting donations and/ or inviting individuals and organizations to fundraisers will help ensure "cash for access" is not replicated through private solicitations.

Section 182 of the Election Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 106, is amended by adding the following subsections:

(6) None of the following may attend a fundraising function:

(

a) a member of the Executive Council;

(

b) any person employed in the Office of the Premier; or

(

c) any person employed in the office of a member of the Executive Council.

(7) None of the following may personally solicit political contributions or invite an individual or organization to attend a fundraising function:

(

a) a member of the Executive Council;

(

b) any person employed in the Office of the Premier; or

(

c) any person employed in the office of a member of the Executive Council.

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the date of Royal Assent.

Explanatory Note

This Act amends the Election Act to prohibit members of the Executive Council from attending fundraising functions. The Act also bars members of the Executive Council from personally soliciting political contributions, as well as from attending or inviting individuals and organizations to attend fundraising functions. The same rules would apply to employees in the Office of the Premier or any member of the Executive Council.

These amendments will reduce the perception of conflicts of interest by eliminating "cash for access" fundraisers. Prohibiting cabinet ministers from personally soliciting donations and/ or inviting individuals and organizations to fundraisers will help ensure "cash for access" is not replicated through private solicitations.

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c) Queen's Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada