TORONTO — Last night’s lavish Political Contributions Reform Gala hosted by the Ontario Liberal Party featured the province’s most prominent corporate and union lobbyists.
Representing corporate interests at the exclusive Casa Loma dinner included the mining, utility, banking, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, and auto industries, while retired teachers, police officers, and registered nurses represented union causes. Notably absent was the Hydro One’s lobbyist, the Bank of Nova Scotia, but some speculate he entered through the back door.
“You put the special in special interests,” said a grateful Premier Kathleen Wynne to the audience while finishing a delicious duck breast, courtesy of the Ontario Poultry Farmers Association, whose lobbyist was also present. “We can’t reform the way we receive questionable donations without your financial support and back-scratching. Thank you all!”
While the Premier was appreciative of the $680,000 raised that night, she says campaign finance reform still has a long way to go.
“How can we fight unethical and downright crooked money without having a well-funded campaign to do so?” rhetorically asked the Premier. “We need at least $20 million and a few more election victories before we can start the process of accountable lobbying.”
