NDP renews call for political donation ban in 'Wild West' Saskatchewan

The Opposition in Saskatchewan is renewing its call toban union and corporate donations to political parties.

Saskatchewan New Democrats say B.C. Premier Christy Clark hascommitted to an independent review of political financing in thatprovince.

• Out of province donations not democratic or ethical, says democratic reform advocate
• Concerns about Sask. lobbyists, political donations raised by NDP

New Democrat David Forbes says that leaves Saskatchewan as thelast in the Wild West when it comes to campaign finance laws.

There are no donation limits for contributing to registeredpolitical parties or candidates in Saskatchewan but donations canonly be made by Canadian citizens.

The Saskatchewan Party has received nearly $30 million indonations over the last decade about 10 per cent came fromcorporations with headquarters outside Saskatchewan.

Premier Brad Wall said last week that Saskatchewan's currentprocess has served the province well, so the government doesn't seeany need for change.

"Our campaign finance laws are the worst in the country and,under the Sask. Party, we're actually falling further behind,"Forbes saidTuesdayat the legislature in Regina.

"There is no good reason for the Sask. Party's refusal tosupport our call to improve these important rules."

Forbes said, until recently, Wall was the last premier in thecountry to take a pay top up from his party.

Clark made a similar move in January when she said that she wouldno longer accept her Liberal party's $50,000 annual stipend.

Wall had been getting about $37,000 a year from the party on topof his government salary.

But Wall said last week that he has askedthe party to stop the payment due to negative perceptions about theallowance.

The Saskatchewan NDP has questioned how much of that bonus moneycomes from out-of-province corporate donors and whether it boughtaccess to the premier's office.

"The people of the province deserve to know how the Sask. Partyis funded and be assured that no government access or influence isbeing bought," said Forbes.