March 1, 2010

Nova Scotia NDP fined for taking union cash

HALIFAX

Nova Scotia’s ruling New Democratic Party has been fined $10,000 for accepting an illegal election campaign contribution from a trade union group.

Christine McCulloch, the province’s chief electoral officer, issued a statement recently saying Halifax police have been asked to determine if an investigation is warranted.

Complaints were filed with McCulloch’s office last June when it was revealed the Mainland Nova Scotia Building and Construction Trades Council had reimbursed nine separate unions after each donated $5,000 to the NDP.

McCulloch levied the fine — the maximum under the law — after she determined the party had accepted a donation in excess of $5,000 from a single contributor.

As well, she determined the NDP had failed to return the $45,000 when “they knew or should have known” that the contributions had come from the council and not separate union locals.

McCulloch says the law prevents her from looking into the union group’s role in the matter, which is why she has referred her report to Halifax Regional Police.

During last summer’s provincial election campaign, which brought the NDP to power in Nova Scotia for the first time, the Conservatives called for an RCMP investigation when the trades council confirmed it had reimbursed the union locals for their NDP donations.

The head of the trades council, Cordell Cole, has said the contributions were made in good faith.

At the time, Nova Scotia’s election financing legislation said individuals and groups could donate no more than $5,000 annually to each registered political party.

On June 1, eight days before election day, Dexter said the party would return the $45,000 to the trades council, saying the party was unaware of how the money was raised.

The NDP later confirmed all of the cheques arrived on the same day near the beginning of the campaign.

But no one took a second look until a journalist raised questions during the last week of the 35-day electoral race.

On Jan. 1, it became illegal in Nova Scotia for corporations and unions to make donations to political parties.

CANADIAN PRESS

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