B.C.'s watchdog over politicians' ethical conduct has ruled that Premier Christy Clark is not stepping over the line when she collects a $50,000 annual payment from her party.

Conflict of Interest Commissioner Paul Fraser issued the ruling in response to a complaint filed by NDP MLA David Eby and Democracy Watch founder Duff Conacher.

In her role as B.C. Liberal leader, Clark helps the party raise money by speaking at party fundraisers and meeting major donors.

"The premier’s private interest is not advanced by any particular donor or group of donors at these events,” wrote Fraser. “She cannot, therefore, be in an apparent conflict of interest in relation to those donors.”

The $50,000 annual payment is in addition to the $195,000 salary that Clark receives as premier and the MLA for Westside-Kelowna.