Money may get you access to decision makers at the provincial level across Canada, says a West Block panel of experts, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll do whatever you asked them to.
Controversy over political donations made by corporate players who attend intimate cocktail and dinner events with politicians have made headlines in recent days in Ontario, leading Premier Kathleen Wynne to promise changes to the current system.
Quebec went through its own discussion surrounding money-for-access with the Charbonneau Commission, which exposed how construction and engineering firms competed for face time and cornered the market on provincial contracts.
READ MORE: Wynne invites opposition leaders to discuss political fundraising reform
According to conservative strategist Rick Anderson, it’s more a question of optics than actual influence.
“There’s a perceptual problem that the public looks at this and says these are cozy little get-togethers and only for people with a certain amount of money,” Anderson noted. “Secondly, the really are getting access … there’s 20 people, 30 people in a room and you get some time with the premier.”
But, he added, “I don’t think you actually can change policy in Canada for that kind of money.”
Liberal Lindsay Doyle agreed, arguing that “buying a politician” isn’t easy.
READ MORE: Wynne now admits her cabinet ministers have fundraising quotas
“In fact, I can tell you it would make a lot of people’s jobs a lot easier if that was the case.”
Robin Sears, a consultant with ties to the NDP, was the dissenting voice, noting that banning this type of cocktail fundraising is probably safer.
“If you gave me a million dollars, would it tempt me to do something I shouldn’t otherwise do? More likely.”
For more on political fundraising and the panel’s views on the upcoming NDP leadership review, watch the full panel discussion above.
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