Ban union, corporate political donations: NDP

The NDP is proposing to ban corporations and unions from donating to political parties in New Brunswick.

Party leader Roger Duguay said only individuals would be able to donate to political parties under the NDP's proposed election financing rules.

"Only people can vote, so only people should be able to donate to political parties," Duguay said in a statement Sunday. "Eliminating corporate and union money from politics will increase public confidence in political parties by eliminating the perception that these organizations have undue influence."

He said corporate executives andunion leaders would still be free to donate to their preferred political parties, but only as individuals with their own money.

Lower maximum donations

The NDP also proposes to lower the maximum annual political donation for individuals from $6,000 to $1,100, the same maximum donation allowed to federalparties under the Canada Elections Act.

Thefederal donation limit increases with inflation and the New Democrats propose to tie the provincial limit to the federal limit.

Corporate and uniondonations to political parties are already prohibited at the federal level, as well as in Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

Duguay made the announcement as the province's election campaign hit the halfway mark.

Liberal Leader Shawn Graham spent Saturday at a Fredericton farmers' market that Progressive ConservativeLeader David Alward visited last weekend. Graham joined four candidates to mingle with shoppers at the market stalls.

Fredericton-Nashwaaksis Liberal candidate T.J. Burke said it is a great place to talk to voters. "I think traditionally you see candidates from each party come out to the market because one, it's a great way to interact with your constituents,two, it's important that candidates continue to support local producers and local vendors here in the city," he said.