The federal Conservatives' Bill C-21 to ban loans from corporations, unions and other organizations to federal political parties and candidates, and restrict the loans and donations total from individuals to $1,100 annually, will leave open huge loopholes.

Banks and other federal financial institutions will still be allowed to loan an unlimited amount to parties and candidates, which has always created conflicts of interest for the federal politicians that regulate financial institutions.  All loans should be limited to $1,100 annually.

And secret, unlimited donations and loans of money, property and services will still be allowed to nomination and party leadership campaign candidates who are not MPs (as long as they don't use the donation or loan for their campaign).

This loophole was closed for election candidates in 2006 specifically to make it illegal to buy them off.  If this dangerously unethical and undemocratic loophole is left open for nomination and party leadership race candidates, it will continue to be legal to buy off these people in secret while they are campaigning to become an election candidate or party leader.

Canadians deserve better, especially from the Conservatives who promised to clean up the federal government.

Oh, and by the way, the same loopholes exist in the political finance laws of every province and territory and municipality in Canada.

For more details, go to Democracy Watch's Money in Politics Campaign pages

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