Québec solidaire (QS) is open to discussing modifications to the Election Act to regulate the presence of ministers at fundraising activities organized by political parties, a subject which has recently been a source of controversy for the CAQ government.
The co-spokesperson for QS, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, showed himself ready to follow up on the concerns expressed on this subject by the Chief Electoral Officer (DGE) of Quebec in a recent report.
“We are completely open to exploring, for example, supervision of the presence of ministers in fundraising activities,” he declared in a press briefing.
The CEO considered that the presence of a minister at a fundraising activity raises the risk that an exchange taking place in this context could result in a decision having the appearance of constituting an advantage provided in exchange for a contribution.
Last week, the PQ leader, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, voluntarily committed to prohibiting the ministers of a possible government he would lead from participating in fundraising activities.
After rejecting last week’s invitation from Prime Minister François Legault to stop collecting donations from voters, the opposition parties also refused a request to discuss a modification on this subject in the Election Act.
All the parties believe that this measure does not respond to the problem raised by the CAQ’s practices in terms of financing.
QS, however, opened the door to discussion on the involvement of ministers in fundraising activities in another framework, that of an advisory committee relating to the Electoral Act.
“We are open,” said Mr. Nadeau-Dubois. We have seen the Parti Québécois proposal. We are completely open to discussing it with the other parties. »
All opposition parties also spoke in favor of increasing the limit on voter contributions from $100 to $200. The CAQ, for its part, dissented on this subject after making this proposal, maintain its opponents.
More details will follow.