Winnipeg mayor wants to kill campaign-donation rebates

Mayor Brian Bowmanwants to end the practice of rebating Winnipeg election-campaign donations in a move one critic describes as a means of providing another advantage to incumbent candidates.

Bowman and Coun. Marty Morantz (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge) filed paperwork Thursday to trigger an April council vote on eliminating the city's practice of providing partial rebates for municipal campaign donations.

The rebate bylaw, which dates back to 2010, was passed by council to encourage more citizens to engage themselves in the municipal election process.

• Some mayoral candidates want to reveal campaign donors under $250

Under the bylaw, donors who make contributionsbetween $25 and $300 receive a 75 per cent rebate after elections. For donations between $301 and $1,000, the rebate is$225, plus half the difference between the contribution and $300.

For contributions of more than $1,000the rebate is the lesser of$1,000, or $575 plus a third of the difference between the contribution and $1,000.

Bowman said in a notice of motion the city could save $700,000 by eliminating the rebates, stating "it is undesirable to fund electioncampaign expenses" and candidates should "solicit financial support from donors based on the strength of their platform rather than relying on taxpayer funds."

In a statement, Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) said while he too would like to eliminate the rebates, doing so would favour incumbent candidates if other advantages are not removed as well.

Browaty noted election campaign surpluses from prior elections roll over into new campaigns, council salaries are paid throughout theelection period and assets such as election signs can be reused.

The councillor suggested allowing candidates more time to raise money.

"During ashortcampaignperiod,a candidate's focus needs to be connecting with voters about the issues," Browaty said in his statement.

"As we make it harder to raise money, we shouldconsider increasingthe length of time people are allowed toraise funds and form campaign organizationsto give challengers a fighting chance."