Campaign figures show some Halifax councillors still take funds from developers

Campaign finance reform is a much-discussedissue among Halifax municipal councillors, particularly funds that come from local developers and construction companies.

During the last municipal election, several candidates even vowed to reject campaign donations from businesses in the industry.

As it turns out, despite the expected changes to campaign financing rules, some councillors elected in October actually accepted more of the controversial donations thanthey did in the previous 2012 election.

'If they want to bet on me, I'm all for it'

And not everyone has a problem with that.

"I'm all for developers.If they want to bet on me, I'm all for it," said Coun.Matt Whitman who was re-elected inDistrict 13, Hammonds Plains-St. Margarets.

Whitman raised $12,665 in donations. Of that, $3,799 about 30 per cent came fromdevelopment, real estate and construction businesses.

Whitman raised less money in 2012,$10,393. But a bigger chunk, $4,150, or 40 per cent, was funded by members of the sector.

Coun.Russell Walker wasalso re-elected in his district of Halifax-BedfordBasin West. More than half 55 per cent of the $14,200 he raised in campaign donations came from the industry. That comes to about $7,810.

That's up slightly from 2012 when $5,950, or 51 per cent,of the$11,550 he raised came from the development, real estate and construction sector.

A number of councillorsdid not take corporate donations. WayeMason, who was re-elected inDistrict 7, Halifax South Downtown, kept the same policy in 2012 when he received $13,490, none of which came from the industry.

• Developer money debated before first Halifax council meeting

Corporate donations could endin 2017

Councillors may not have the opportunity to make personal choices about who they accept campaign money from after a report on the issue is presented early next year.

It is expected to include limits on the amount raised, restrictions on who can make donations and disclosure of how the money is spent.

Whitman saidhe'll comply with any new rules that are adopted.

"I'm not opposed to more regulationsif it's clear across the board," he said.

"I'm really not concerned about it, so whatever becomes the lay of the land is fine."

Hendsbee, Adams took developer donations

Abreakdown of 2016 and 2012 campaign donations for other candidates:

• David Hendsbee, District 2, Preston-Chezzetcook-EasternShore, raised$5,670, $2,300 came from developers at 41 per cent. In 2012, the total was $4,557.85, with$2,800, or 61 per cent, from the sector.
• Steve Adams, District 11,Spryfield-Sambro Loop-Prospect Road,received$9,900, $2,050 came from developers, or about 21 per cent. In 2012, donations were$6,800, withdevelopment companies contributing$3,800 or 55 per cent.

In the other districts, fourcouncillorswere acclaimed: BillKarsten, LoreleiNicoll, Steve Craig and Tim Outhit.

Onecouncillor,TonyMancini, was re-elected in District 6. He previouslywon aJanuarybyelectiontoreplaceDarrenFisher after he waselected as a Liberal MP.

Fourcouncillorsfrom 2012 did not re-offer: BarryDalrymple, GloriaMcCluskey, RegRankinand Jennifer Watts

Two who ran in 2012 were defeated: LindaMosherand Brad Johns.