QPL Articles
Bill puts limits on collusion between political action committees and political parties
By Jonathan Ablett | December 13, 2017
Bill 32 introduced Monday, December 4, 2017 restricts the activities of political action committees (PACs).
Political collusion between PACs and parties, candidates or leadership contestants will also be stamped out, and a $150,000 spending limit will be imposed starting in the December prior to an election year.
The government’s bill contains no definition of PACs, nor does it address online communication via social media or websites. Corporations and unions can also continue to donate to PACs under the bill.
The Bill creates an election commissioner, who will have an estimated $1-million budget and be tasked with investigating PACs and recommending prosecutions. It also makes a range of changes to the Elections Act intended to make voting more accessible.
It removes the minimum residency requirement to vote in an Alberta election (it’s currently six months) and bans government advertising during an election or by-election.
The Bill adds a fifth day of advance polls and allows Albertans to vote in advance outside their electoral division.
See more at edmontonjournal.com/