TORONTO (August 4. 1994) - In a letter congratulating Jack Murray on his appointment as chairman of Ontario's Commission on Elections Finances, Fp secretary Robert Vaughan reminded Murray of "Freedom Party's objection to the lack of representation on the Commission by any member of the alternative registered political parties in the province."

The Commission, whose members are appointed from the ranks of the conservative, Liberal, and New Democratic Parties, approves the names and registrations of other Ontario political parties and regulates the activities of all parties in the province. There are nine officially-registered Ontario political parties, but the six alternative parties have thus far not been permitted representation on the Commission. These parties are:

• the Communist Party of Canada (Ontario),
• the Ontario Libertarian Party,
• the Green Party of Ontario,
• the Family Coalition Party of Ontario,
• the Ontario Provincial Confederation of Regions Party, and of course,
• the Freedom Party of Ontario.

In his letter, Vaughan cited Murray's reported commitment to the principle of impartiality as a basis to consider some form of representation by the alternate parties.

"We feel that it is within your power as a Commission to, at the very least appoint a non-voting representative from the alternative parties to observe 'first-hand' the workings and deliberations of the Commission," said Vaughan. "While such a gesture is a long way from fair and equal representation by all parties affected by the actions of the Commission, we feel it would be a positive step towards establishing a more equitable relationship with all involved."

In his August 24 reply to Vaughan, Murray said that this issue had already been drawn to the attention of an "all party committee" (i.e., a THREE-party committee), but that "its report contained no reference to changes that would address your concern."

However, on a positive note, Murray suggested that "the idea of a non-voting 'observer' representative is interesting, and I will discuss it with Commission staff and our legal counsel. I will provide a more definitive answer to your proposal in the near future."

While this answer has not as yet been provided, the Commission has acted recently to make life more difficult for Ontario's smaller parties. Now guidelines regulating the determination of tax-credits for banquets and fundraising events are expected to be introduced in mid-1995 and will undoubtedly become an administrative nightmare for all concerned.

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Page last updated on April 28, 2002