Have recent party finance reforms destabilized Canadian politics for
the long term?
Description
In 2004, Jean Chrétien’s Liberals banned corporations and unions
from contributing financially to political parties. In 2008, opposition
leaders were prepared to defeat the Conservative Party over its
proposal to eliminate public subsidies to parties. In this book,
prominent political scientists explore the underlying issues that led
to the showdown. Are publicly funded parties compatible with democracy?
What effects has party finance reform had on elections and on the
balance of power between parties and donors and between national
parties and local organizations? Contributors show that campaign
finance reforms have shaped party organization and electoral
competition, contributing to successive minority governments.