Wynne says Ontario will tighten rules on political donations

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Premier Kathleen Wynne is promising to curb corporate and union donations to political parties, and restrict how much people can donate, amid a growing furor over political fundraising practices.

The Premier, however, is providing no details on what exactly the reforms will entail.

"The government will bring forward a plan in the fall," Ms. Wynne told reporters at an unrelated press conference in the Toronto suburb of Markham Tuesday. "It will include transitioning away from corporate and union donations, lowering the annual donation limit and at the same time, keeping the transparency measures in place on real-time reporting."

Ms. Wynne also vowed to put in place new rules for third-party advertising, such as that employed by unions at election time to bash the Progressive Conservatives.

The promise follows a series of revelations on the Liberals' fundraising techniques.

Earlier this month, The Globe and Mail revealed that Ms. Wynne and Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli had teamed up with lobbyists at Sussex Strategy Group to hold a $6,000-per-person fundraiser at Toronto's posh Four Seasons Hotel. The evening of dinner and cocktails was billed as an opportunity for "one-on-one" access to the politicians.

Then on Tuesday, the Toronto Star reported the size of Ontario cabinet ministers' fundraising targets: up to $500,000 per year for Finance Minister Charles Sousa and Health Minister Eric Hoskins, up to $350,000 for Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid, $300,000 for Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca and Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli.

Mr. Duguid on Tuesday refused to answer directly when asked what his fundraising target was.

"We all have responsibilities as members of the team to raise money for the campaign. So all I do is I do my very best to raise as much as I can for the party," he said.

Ms. Wynne also appeared to take umbrage to reporters asking Mr. Duguid about his fundraising targets.

"I understand there's a desire to drive wedges between people, that's a story, but we're a team," she said.

The Premier also dodged questions on the targets, instead arguing that fundraising is just part of the political game.

"In order for the process to work there has to be funding in place," she said. "Most people can't fund that process themselves, nor would we want a system where only people wealthy enough to fund their own campaign could run."

"It takes money to run a democratic system," she added.

Campaign fundraising is under the microscope across the country.

On Tuesday, the Globe revealed that British Columbia Premier Christy Clark sometimes charges up to $20,000 for people who want meet with her.

In Alberta, Premier Rachel Notley faced reviews by the ethics commissioner over two fundraisers. While the commissioner said Ms. Notley did not break any rules, the commissioner said fundraisers should be open to the public.

And in Quebec, which has far more stringent campaign finance rules than other provinces, two former cabinet ministers were arrested earlier this month and accused of receiving illegal campaign donations in exchange for political favours from the government.