Parliament could have followed the lead of Mexico, which has banned donations from all corporations and other non-voting organizations, and has provided a full system of public financing. Seventy percent of the public subsidy is distributed based on the percentage of the popular vote each party received in the previous election, and the remaining 30 percent is distributed equally among the parties, to give new and smaller parties a chance to participate meaningfully. The failure to close the loopholes and make Canada's system more democratic is perhaps not surprising when one looks at who is making these rules, especially the ministers and senators who carry on fundraising activities for their parties while in office. As some party donors have expressed publicly, they expect something in return for their donation. Parties, not being a part of the government, are private entities.
Many senators are in a similar conflict.
It is no surprise that party loyalty is usually a prerequisite for Senate appointments, and for party fundraisers and organizers, a Senate appointment is considered the ultimate patronage prize. Often, senators continue their fundraising activities after they are appointed to the Senate. David Angus, Leo Kolber and Donald Oliver are just a few of the prominent party fundraisers who have remained party bagmen after their Senate appointments. In light of the subject matter of Bill C-2, and the enormous impact of party fundraising rules on the welfare of the parties, all senators should disclose the fundraising activities they undertake for political parties, candidates for public office, and leadership candidates. Senators should also disclose any remuneration they have received for these activities.