A serious question to ask: is it considered a form of corporate welfare when taxpayers are forced to subsidize political dinners?
If a $250 dinner only costs a person (approximately) $120, that means that the public has to cover the rest of it. This sort of thing is completely wrong, regardless of which party is doing it. It’s wrong when it’s Trudeau involved, and not any better for others.
True, the public shouldn’t be forced to bailout companies like Bombardier, GM, Chrysler, Air Canada, or many others. That being said, how is this any different? How are laws which compel the public to finance these get togethers better?
This opinion is reflective of donations in general, not just overpriced dinners.
Of course, Bernier and PPC have much deeper structural problems than this:
- No elected leader/leadership race
- No policy votes
- No internal charter or constitution
- No governing documents
- No elected national governing council
- Dozens of EDAs shut down for not filing mandatory financials
These issues have been brought up before, Now, even if a proper structure were to be put in place, what are the chances of any sort of electoral success? Heck, the “leader” can’t even get a seat.
Bernier won reelection in October 2015, with 59% of the vote. In 2019, he lost with 28%, and again in 2021 with just 18%. Keep in mind, he had the riding for 4 terms, and his father for 3 terms before. It’s even more screwy because his signature issue, supply management, arguably cost him Beauce.
When the head of the party lost his own riding, a safe riding, by 30 percentage points, he needs to go.
While this dinner — and similar ones — may be viewed as cash-for-access, it’s rather amusing considering the complete lack of electoral prospects. It seems that an M.P. pension, a Privy Council pension, and $104,000 annually as a salary isn’t enough.
(1) https://twitter.com/MaximeBernier/
(2) https://twitter.com/MaximeBernier/status/1594494740053082112
(3) https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/federal-political-contributions-line-40900-total-contributions-line-41000-tax-credit.html
(4) https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/
(5) https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/supply-management
(6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxime_Bernier
(7) https://canucklaw.ca/4-years-later-no-constitution-votes-or-governing-documents/
(8) https://canucklaw.ca/ending-political-corporate-welfare/
(9) https://canucklaw.ca/elections-canada-fundraising-isnt-okay-when-edas-shut-down-for-no-financials/
(10) https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/peoples-party-canada-maxime-bernier-1.5695908
Growing pains for a new party are understandable but as a member I expect them to be addressed and quickly. As to the prospects for a libertarian leaning party like the PPC I don’t know. It’s got to start somewhere, sometime. Why not here? Why not now?
In the British parliamentary system new parties emerge frequently. In presidential systems it is next to impossible. So at least there is the possibility of success.
Why the PPC and not the conservatives? All the parties, except the PPC, were in favour of vaccine passports. That is our right to informed consent on the line and I’ll never “go along to get along” on matters of principle that this certainly is. I know that my vote (and $10 annual membership) is more of a protest than realistic chance at winning but I’m okay with that. A big “F U ALL” to all the parties that went along with it. I will never forgive or forget.
To everyone who says “Don’t split the vote” I say “It’s worked for the Libs & NDP for decades”. Maybe that is what is really needed. A libertarian leaning party like the PPC to support and keep check on the Conservatives.
On the subject of tax deductions for “approved behaviour” (i.e. political contributions), bailouts, etc, I’m against.