Raising campaign funds without corporate/union donations

Some municipal election campaign fundraisers still seem to think it is necessary to go to corporate donors in order to raise the funds needed to run an effective campaign for their candidate. This is really not the case if private donors take advantage of the city’s refund policy. People donating modest amounts to municipal election campaigns can receive a substantial refund from the city making campaign donations affordable; even for people of modest means.

First of all, it is important to verify that the candidate(s) whose campaigns one wishes to support are registered in the Contribution rebate program. Details on how to apply for a rebate are available on the City of Ottawa web site at: http://www.ottawa.ca/city_hall/elections/contribution_rebate/index_en.html. Here is a summary:

If you are issued a receipt entitled "Receipt - Candidate Campaign Contribution - Rebate Program" for the 2010 Municipal Election then you may apply for a contribution rebate provided:

* the contribution was monetary and not goods or services;
* the contribution was $50 or more;
* the contribution was made to a candidate participating in the rebate program; and
* the contribution came from you as an individual and not through a business, corporation or trade union.

A rebate is only payable if the candidate to whom you have made a contribution has complied with all of the provisions of By-law 2005-505. As part of these provisions, a candidate must first register to participate in the contribution rebate program with the City Clerk by the end of nomination day.

A minimum contribution of $50.00 is required to be eligible for a rebate. An individual who -makes contributions to more than one candidate may apply for a rebate in respect of each contribution (minimum contribution of $50.00 per candidate) but is not entitled to receive total rebates exceeding the maximum rebate of $187.50.

Some words of wisdom for the Lansdowne Partnership

Members of the Lansdowne Partnership Plan should pay attention to the words of Alan Williams, retired ADM Materiel at DND. In his article in last Saturday’s Ottawa Citizen (Flying Solo, July 24, 2010) Alan Williams is highly critical of the federal government’s decision to acquire the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) for DND on a sole-source basis.

He notes that Canada’s involvement in development of the JSF does not compel the government to sole source it’s procurement and says that to do so is incredibly bad business. He criticizes the decision in terms of increased cost, reduced opportunities for Canadian industry and uncertainty as to the JSF is the best solution to meet Canada’s needs.

He also addresses the ethical dilemma that the government puts itself in by going the sole source route: “… Procurement demands not only the highest degree of integrity but also the appearance of the highest degree of integrity. Undertaking sole-source deals leaves the procurement process more vulnerable to fraud, bribery and payoffs, and leaves the federal government more susceptible to such charges.”

It seems to me that all of these issues apply equally to the planned sole-source development of Lansdowne Park by OSEG and the city. Council must pay attention and reconsider its decision to go ahead with this project in its present form.

Sewer surcharges and other atrocities

One cannot deny that the water and sewer upgrades now being undertaken (Sewer regulator upgrades lauded, Neco Cockburn, Ottawa Citizen, July 23, 2010) are long overdue. However, Councillor Peter Hume’s statement that ratepayer can expect a 10% annual increase in sewer surcharges over the next 10 years makes me bristle (Residents can expect sewer rate hikes, http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2010/07/22/ottawa-sewer-rate-hikes.html July 22, 2010).

The CBC article also notes that the average Ottawa homeowner now paying $600 a year could end up paying more than $1,300 a year by 2020. However, the way I see it, based on a 10% pa rate increase, a $600 payment in 2010 will result in a payment of $1,556 in 2020, a 159% increase over 10 years.

Residents cannot exist without access to water and sewer services. There would not be a viable city without them; so costs for these services should be covered by basic property taxes. It is incomprehensible that residents are being asked to pay additional surcharges for these services. This city must learn to prioritize its projects (need over wants) so that tax payers are not burdened by surcharges on top of already huge tax bills.

The city as a whole lacks vision, does poor planning and creates irresponsible budgets. In October we need to elect a new council that will listen to residents and act responsibly by finding a way to move forward within the constraints of an affordable budget. This will require reevaluating all major capital projects, planned and existing.

It is interesting to note that the developers profit above all others from capital projects. There is no doubt in my mind that the scope of many of the city’s plans results from the influence of developers; hence the need for election candidates to refuse campaign donations from them.

Developers’ influence on the city

In a letter to the Ottawa Citizen (Developers’ influence on the city a big deal, July 17, 2010) Councillor Clive Doucet illustrates how developers’ contributions to municipal election campaigns become a “big deal.” A large majority of Councillors accepted donation from corporate sources or from people with corporate interests in the 2006 municipal election. Here are two examples:

Some 80% of Councillor Doug Thompson’s campaign donations came from corporate sources, mostly from the construction and development sectors.

Over 62% of Councillor Peter Hume’s campaign donations came from individual owners, executives or senior managers of businesses in the construction and development sectors. There were no direct contributions from corporations however.

It is apparent that many candidates do not consider the ethical dilemma they place themselves in by accepting donations from corporations as well as from individuals whose businesses might later benefit from decisions and action taken by city council. This has got to change.

CLIVE GOES LIVE!

Campaign Launch Party

Thursday, July 29, 5pm to 7pm

At the Campaign Office, 1014 Wellington St.

Families and Latecomers Welcome

Clive DOUCET for Mayor

http://www.clivedoucet.com/

Sustainable development in the suburbs

Columnist Randall Denley makes the point that new suburbs and their residents should be able to expect a standard level of service from the city (Suburbs deserve better than sub-standard service, Randall Denley, Ottawa Citizen, July 13, 2010). In the article he refers to Planning and Development Committee’s recommendation ion to change a policy that dictates that 100% of the cost of community facility development costs being collected from new residents before construction starts. The proposal would allow the city to borrow money so that construction of new community based recreational facilities can start once 50% of the funds are collected.

Denley makes the point that “The longer the city does nothing, the less developers are obliged to contribute for future recreational needs.” He suggests that the city should also be putting in its rinks, libraries, pools and parks at the beginning of development, not years later.

I would suggest the city go a step further by insisting that suburb developers’ plans make provision for appropriate levels of retail and commercial space so that residents can expect to shop and work in their communities as they develop; thus reducing pressure on roads required to service new communities.

The mayoralty race has suddenly become interesting

Councillor Clive Doucet’s decision to enter the mayoralty campaign has come as a surprise to everyone. Interesting times are looming ahead for all the mayoral candidates. There are now four high profile candidates for mayor; three of them are currently members of council.

I am encouraged by Mr. Doucet’s opening statements “I’m not running to be the developer’s go-to-guy and I will not run the city behind closed doors.” Doucet also indicates that his campaign will be financed by “small donations from ordinary people.”

These are words that all candidates for mayor and city council need to pay attention to. I have long opposed election campaign funding by corporate and union donors as well as by owners, executives and senior staff of corporations. Regrettably, there is only a small group of existing councillors that do not accept donations from these sources. It’s time for this issue to be cleared up once and for all. No matter how much councillors take offence and protest that their votes cannot be bought when challenged on this issue, the perception will always be there. We must remove the temptation.

Whatever one feels about Councillor Doucet’s views, it cannot be denied that he is one of the most honest and sincere members of council. Watch and learn!