Exclusive fundraisers, premier’s allowance not conflicts: commissioner
VICTORIA — British Columbia’s conflict commissioner has ruled that exclusive fundraisers and a stipend paid to the premier by the B.C. Liberal Party are not conflicts because they do not amount to a ‘private interest.’
Paul Fraser has released a report into a pair of complaints that alleged high-priced fundraisers attended by Premier Christy Clark breached the Members Conflict of Interest Act because they result in politicians receiving an illegal gift.
“The general concern is that it is inappropriate for politicians to ‘sell access’ to themselves in this manner,” Fraser wrote.
Democracy Watch co-founder Duff Conacher filed a complaint last month following reports that Clark participates in fundraising events where people pay thousands of dollars for exclusive access to her.