Vision Vancouver will introduce a motion calling for electoral-financing reforms at the October 30 Vancouver city council meeting.

Vision councillor George Chow told the Straight that these will include continuous disclosure of all donations, limits on campaign spending, and banning union and corporate contributions to civic parties and incumbent members of council. He said that the motion will ask for the appointment of an "independent expert" to hold public consultations on these suggested reforms.

"The whole impetus behind this is the need for political transparency and accountability," Chow said. "The public should know who's giving money to whom."

In a separate interview, Vision councillor Tim Stevenson told the Straight that the party's motion comes on the heels of Mayor Sam Sullivan's claim that the city's civic unions will back a candidate against him in next year's elections.

"We want to be sure to allay any fears on any side that no one is putting up a candidate for Vision," Stevenson said. "We think it's obviously much better if there's no contribution from unions or corporations."

Stevenson explained that at present, contributions and campaign spending are declared only after an election. He added that there are no limits on how much parties can spend. Only the provincial government has the power to change this, which would have to occur through an amendment to the Vancouver Charter.

According to city records, Vision Vancouver spent $1.5 million in the 2005 election and declared contributions of $1.3 million. Sullivan's Non-Partisan Association had expenses totalling $1.1 million and contributions amounting to $1.2 million. The Coalition of Progressive Electors spent just over $500,000 and received contributions roughly equivalent to this amount.

In 2005, during the term of the previous council, a report was brought forward about recommendations on how to improve civic democracy. The proposals included council putting in a request for the B.C. provincial government to amend the Vancouver Charter to require continuous disclosure of donations to parties and candidates.

Sullivan and Coun. Peter Ladner were the only two NPA members of council at that time. Ladner voted in favour of this recommendation, along with the rest of the council. Sullivan cast the lone dissenting vote against the motion.