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Yap: Campaign donations needs transparency

MLA John Yap says lobbyists aren't getting favourable treatment
Yap
John Yap (left) poses for a selfie with LNG lobbyist Byng Giraud (far right) at a BC Liberal fundraiser. Photo by @John_Yap (Twitter)

Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap says cash donations are a pillar of democratic elections but transparency of such contributions is critical. As such, he welcomes an independent review of B.C.’s electoral finance laws, which have come under scrutiny leading up to the May 9 provincial vote. 

“I believe we should give individuals the freedom to decide how they should support political parties. We believe fundamentally in that freedom,” Yap told the Richmond News, addressing concerns that his BC Liberal government is influenced by political donations, and that laws pertaining to disclosure have been breached.

On the former concern, Yap said: “Now, I get it that there’s some who say there’s a perception that because you’re so successful at fundraising, that somehow there’s a problem here. I would say that we’re very clear; our Premier has been very clear; and all of us have been very clear — that political fundraising is to help pay for the costs of the political campaign process. It costs money to run a campaign.”

Yap has won three straight elections with 52-61 per cent of the popular vote.

“No one is making a political contribution with an expectation that they’re going to get a certain policy,” he added.

Over the past 11 years, The BC Liberals have reportedly taken in about $12 million from the real estate industry, which has only recently come under scrutiny from the provincial government for a lack of regulations and independent oversight.

Dermod Travis, executive director of Integrity BC, a non-government organization that advocates for campaign finance reforms, has charged that the industry has received special treatment during the long BC Liberal tenure.

Travis and critics with the BC NDP has also charged that donors end up with lucrative contracts.

Travis has previously noted donations over the past decade by companies bidding on the Massey Tunnel Replacement Project amount to nearly $300,000.

Yap said such suggestions are innuendoes.

With regards to an ongoing RCMP investigation into indirect political donations and other potential contraventions of the BC Election Act, Yap said he is committed to the notion of transparency and rectifying that matter.

“It is important to know who is making the donation. It needs to be accurate,” he said.

A recent Globe and Mail investigation revealed donors concealing the true source of the donations by listing them personally, but later being reimbursed by their companies.

To that extent, the BC Liberals have recently refunded $92,874 after identifying 43 illegal, indirect political contributions that contravene the Election Act. The BC NDP has reportedly refunded $11,000.

On Thursday, the Criminal Justice Branch assigned special prosecutor David Butcher to the case.

Another concern has been donations from foreign corporations, which are still allowed in B.C. despite being banned in most other jurisdictions in the west.

Francesco Trebbi, a professor of economics, said, via UBC.ca, banning foreign donations is intended to limit outside influence of domestic policy.

Yap reiterated that campaign donations are a “fundamental” political freedom.

“People are voting with their vote and their funds . . . They should have the freedom to support [a political party] either through volunteering or financial contributions.”

Dollars per vote:

$15.20: U.S. President Donald Trump, 2016

$14.75: Premier Christy Clark, 2013

$6.20: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 2015

Note: A print version erroneously stated the special prosecutor was assigned by the Auditor General.