Candidates in Port Moody's election fulfilled a request made by the Moody Centre Community Association at its all-candidates meeting earlier this month, revealing their campaign donations shortly before voting day on Nov. 15.
MCCA president Hazel Mason said the question is similar to one her association has asked candidates in previous elections - whether any donations were accepted from development companies - but with the publicity surrounding requests for the Vancouver city council candidates to disclose all of their donations, Mason said they decided to do the same.
"I thought it was awesome because we would like to know more and have more transparency," Mason said. The group did not provide a template for local candidates to fill out but instead posted exactly what was submitted to them.
The results varied from fairly detailed responses, complete with a list of donors and the amounts that were contributed, to one-line summaries of the types of donations.
Official disclosure statements are due, by provincial law, 90 days after election day.
In his disclosure to MCCA, Coun. Rick Glumac, who topped the polls on Nov. 15, listed nearly $10,000 in donations from individuals, CUPE, firefighters and a numbered company. Anne Ladouceur, who finished ninth and, like Glumac, was part of a slate endorsed by NDP MP Fin Donnelly, collected nearly $5,200 from CUPE 785, the Port Moody Fire Fighters' union IAFF 2399, and from Coquitlam Coun. Bonita Zarrillo as well as Donnelly.
Coun. Diana Dilworth detailed close to $5,500 in contributions from Tri-City businesses, Mill and Timber (the Flavelle mill) and three developers. Incoming councillor Robert Vagramov noted support from family members, CUPE Local 825, the PoMo firefighters and Andrew Peller, but did not supply specific amounts.
Both mayoral candidates listed donations from several individuals: Gaetan Royer, who headed the slate under which Glumac and Ladouceur ran, noted contributions from Wesgroup Properties and a numbered company; Mayor Mike Clay, who war re-elected, also noted donations from RPMG Holdings (Onni's parent company) and Rocky Point Ventures, as well as corporate sponsors for his fundraising event, including Mint Hair Lounge, Peller Estates and Moosehead Beer.
Mason said the information received "a lot of hits" on MCCA's website shortly before the election.
"It's a great question and... the best part is it sets a precedent. And in future years, people can be more prepared for that," she added. "It shouldn't be a game for people who can get the most money. Caps on donations would be good."
The provincial government has promised municipal election spending limits will be in place by 2018 that will govern politicians and third-party advertisers as well as how much individuals, businesses and unions can donate.
To view the full list of PoMo candidates' contributions, visit portmoodycommunity.wordpress.com.
