TORONTO — Ontario's political leaders meet this afternoon to talk about tightening the rules on political fundraising, after spending the morning attacking each other on the issue.
Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown kicked off a third week of attacks in question period, suggesting companies that donate to the Liberal party are rewarded with lucrative government contracts.
Brown wants a public inquiry into the Liberals' fundraising activities.
Premier Kathleen Wynne dismissed the accusations, and insisted government policy is not influenced by companies that contribute money to the Liberal party.
Wynne says she's looking forward to getting input from the opposition leaders on banning corporate and union donations, lower personal contribution limits and restrict third party advertising.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath wants the Chief Electoral Officer to oversee the campaign finance reform process, and says she doesn't want Wynne drawing up the new rules on her own.
Today's meeting of the three leaders follows opposition attacks about fundraising quotas of up to $500,000 that were imposed on cabinet ministers, and about expensive and exclusive receptions for lobbyists.
The three leaders will also talk about changing the donation rules for provincial byelections, which allow parties to raise far more money than they are allowed to spend in the byelection.
Wynne promises legislation this spring to reform political fundraising rules, but warns there will have to be a transition period so all of the changes may not be in effect for the next election in 2018.
