Phendrana Drifts

Friday, September 15

From the CBC, on the on-going scandal of PC leadership candidates accepting donations from out-of-province individuals: "Morton said he thinks it's fine to accept money from like-minded people in the western provinces."

Why the western provinces? I mean I understand those like Dinning who say that they will take money from whoever is offering it. Not that I agree with it, just I understand it. And I certainly understand and agree with those who say it is far better to solicit donations from Albertans alone, like Dave and Dave. But accept only from the western provinces? Why is BC money clean, but Ontario money dirty? Could you imagine Michael Ignatieff saying donations from non-Canadians is ok in the Liberal leadership race, but only if they are from western countries? Of course, another obvious question is whether Morton will go beyond "the western provinces" and look for cash and influence from the mid-western United States as well, but of course only from "like-minded people."

posted by Duncan @ 7:24 PM

6 Comments:

At 3:18 PM, Allie said…

I agree with Dave Hancock. I don't think it is appropriate to be looking for support for this leadership race outside of Alberta. This race should be about Albertans.

If you can't gather enough support within Alberta to win shouldn't that be telling in itself? And by what right does anyone in BC or Ontario have to influence who OUR next party leader is?
At 10:31 PM, Anonymous said…

I think Morton really stepped in it when said "only from the Western provinces". As if there is some invisible line that demarcates "our type of people" from "outsiders".
So tell, me is Manitoba ok? Just curious. Maybe B.C. interior, but Vancouver is hardly Morton-type stomping grounds.
From what I would call the serious six contenders (i.e. everybody in the race before Delong), so far three have had somewhat questionable fundraising now brought light. First Norris, with the tax-deductible consulting fees, now Dinning and Morton. So far, Stelmach, Oberg, and Hancock appear onside. Personally, I prefer Stelmach to Hancock (maybe Honest Ed vs. Debonair Dave, :-), but Hancock would now be my second choice (for what it is worth to the rest of you).
At 9:17 AM, Duncan said…

It's worth something, for sure. And for what it is worth in return, Steady Eddie is certainly my second choice, without hesitation.
At 12:17 PM, Ken Chapman said…

Morton taking western provinces money "only" from those who are "like mind" is consistent with his firewall desires for Alberta and what it really means is he is after the fundamentalist religious money.

At the recent St. Albert Leadership Forum Morton parsed his commitment to campaign funding disclosure very carefuly. He said he would disclose "expenses" he did not mention donors.

At least we know who wants to own Norris. With Morton we can only "guess" where he is concentrating his fund raising. We need to demand he disclose contributions too.
At 10:24 AM, Allie said…

I'm skeptical about Norris' "list."
At 4:08 PM, Quynn said…

The western Canadian thing is just another example of Morton's somewhat disturbing worldview.

As for donations from outside of the province, I certainly don't have a problem with it. After all a person/business may well live/be based in another province yet still do a substantial part of his business here and should have every right to donate to the candidate of their choice. In the end, after all, our next leader will be the person who gets the most votes, not the most money...

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