Quebec's minister responsible for electoral reform Claude Béchard says the government is acting faster than a public inquiry would allow. (CBC)

The Quebec government has tabled a bill aimed at cleaning up political party financing in the province.

The move comes following allegations of widespread improper party fundraising and political corruption.

Bill 78, tabled by Claude Béchard, the deputy house leader and minister responsible for election reform, calls for a ban on anonymous donations.

For the first time, the province’s party financing laws would also apply to races for the leadership of provincial and municipal parties.

The bill proposes harsher penalties for those found guilty of breaking financing rules. The fine for an individual would range from $1,000 to $10,000 for a first offence. Corporations would face a fine of $5,000 to $30,000 for a first offence.

A person found guilty of breaking party financing rules would also be blocked from bidding on government contracts for five years.

The annual allocation to authorized parties would go to 82 cents per voter from 50 cents .

"I think we're doing the best we can do at this moment to give to the population more confidence in our system," Béchard said.

Inquiry calls rejected

The minister continued to reject opposition calls for a public inquiry into allegations that a small number of construction companies conspired to drive up the cost of public contracts — with the help of organized crime.

"We're doing right now what an inquiry might eventually recommend in two years," Béchard said. "We're acting now."

But the opposition Parti Québécois called the measures nothing more than a smokescreen.

"The premier has chosen to protect the friends of the system, to protect the Liberal party, rather than to protect the public interest," PQ Leader Pauline Marois charged.

Earlier this month, Quebec’s chief electoral officer, Marcel Blanchet, announced he was creating a "jury" of 12 average Quebecers to review the province’s party financing laws.

The group is expected to submit its conclusions this winter, well before national assembly hearings on Bill 78, which Béchard said will take place starting in February.