Postmedia: Opposition lashes out at Harper vow to axe party funding

[tuvor]

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper's opponents say his plan to campaign on killing direct financing for political parties is irresponsible, arguing the current subsidies are good for democracy.

The Liberals and New Democrats made it clear Thursday they have no intention of agreeing to repeal the subsidies introduced in the past decade, saying they ensure the ideas of voters are represented by vibrant political parties that no longer have to rely on "big money" from the business community.

But on Thursday, Harper wasn't backing down on his plan — first revealed in an exclusive interview this week with Postmedia News — to make the end of the subsidies a "clear plank" of the Conservatives' election platform.

"A subsidy where parties make no effort whatsoever to raise money is not acceptable, I don't think, to Canadian taxpayers," Harper said during a news conference in Toronto.

...

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Opposition+lashes+Harper+party+funding/4105447/story.html