Donations to parties good business: Trade Centre
Last Updated: Monday, October 30, 2006 | 11:23 AM AT
CBC News
The Crown corporation that operates the World Trade Centre in Halifax is defending its decision to give money to the Liberal and Tory parties.
Trade Centre Ltd. gave $5296.27 to the Progressive Conservatives and $864.84 to the Liberals in 2005, according to Elections Nova Scotia.
The chair of the board of directors, Stewart McInnes, says this is just part of the way the organization does business.
"We consider it a business initiative and I think it is accepted in that manner," said McInnes, a former cabinet minister in Brian Mulroney's federal Consevative government.
McInnes says the Trade Centre buys a table from any organization that holds a dinner in its facility, not just political parties.
He says the reason why the Tories got more money than the Liberals is probably because they charge more for tables at their annual dinner.
The New Democrats don't hold a dinner at the Trade Centre.
NDP MLA Graham Steele says even if they did, they wouldn't take the cash because it's the wrong thing to do.
"Public money should not be used by organizations as donations to political parties," he said.
Steele says Crown corporations in Nova Scotia are allowed to give money, but the only one that does is the Trade Centre.
McInnes says he hears the same criticism every year, but his organization believes it's good business to show customers that their loyalty is appreciated.
