Yep, Im back.
And, just like the last time I planned time away from the Courier compound, I missed out on a few storiesthe citys hockey playoff plans, a discussion on the future of the Downtown Eastside, the citys rental housing program, a review of the citys permitting process and regulations, etc
Such is the news biz.
Before I signed off in March, I wrote about the expensive 2011 election campaigns of the NPA ($2.5 million) and the ruling Vision Vancouver party ($2.2 million). COPE, which ran a coordinated campaign with Vision, spent $360,969.
The spending by the three parties was almost $2 million more than was poured into the 2008 campaign. That amount, however, is a calculation of what each of the parties central campaigns collected.
The totals dont include money directed at individual campaignsNPA mayoral candidate Suzanne Anton, for example, spent $70,924or money raised by organizations such as the Vancouver Elementary School Teachers' Association, which spent $100,869 to support COPE and Vision.
So why do companies, unions, organizations and individuals give money to political parties?
Its a question Ive posed for many years, with most people I ask refusing to answer or simply declining to return messages. Ive had some success with CUPE B.C. prez Barry ONeill, developer Robert Macdonald and realtor Bob Rennie.
Their collective response?
We do business with the city, its good to be part of the political process the same way its good to be part of the arts community, charities, etc. and no, for Gods sakes Mike, we dont expect any favours in return for the cash.
But what to make of Concord Pacific, which has been one of Vision Vancouvers biggest financial backers since the party was created almost a decade ago? For years, the company has refused to talk to me on this topic.
So, after viewing the latest financial documents of Vision Vancouver, which indicated Concord donated $36,250paltry compared to previous campaignsI again left phone messages and sent a couple of requests via email to speak to head honcho Terry Hui.
I wasnt expecting a reply, but I got one.
It wasnt from Hui and it didnt come in a phone call.
Matt Meehan, a senior vice-president with Concord, sent me an email.
Heres what he said:
We support the democratic process and it is important for political parties to inform voters of their approach to public issues through media and other means. As part of our long-term commitment to the community, we participate in, support and develop many community activities and public amenities including schools, hospitals, festivals, visual and performing arts, sports events as well as political events for different political parties.
Not exactly sure that answers all my questions, but it will have to do for now.
At least it was a response, unlike the silence coming from Keg Restaurants ($100,000), Lisi Mechanical Contractors ($91,000) and Berts Electrical Ltd. ($50,000), who all backed Vision Vancouver but failed to return my calls.
To be fair, Concord has also given gobs of money to the NPA and lesser amounts to COPE. The provincial Liberal party has also benefited from the False Creek development companys financial generosity.
Previously, Concord has also invited city councillors on a yacht for dinner, followed by a cruise into English Bay to watch fireworks. The company has also given councillors free tickets to Cirque de Soleil performances and opened up its private box for at least two councillors to rock out at a Bruce Springsteen concert.
Ida Chong, the minister responsible for imposing electoral reforms at the civic level, told me last month that spending limits will be in place for the 2014 civic election. But there are no plans to ban union or corporate donations, or the amount of money parties can raise.
Twitter: @Howellings
