The committee studying changes to election finance law heard from Green Party leader Mike Schreiner Tuesday, who called for stricter disclosure rules for individual donors and lower contribution and spending limits.

In his testimony, he asked the committee of politicians to imagine "a world where parties engage a broad cross-section of people in their fundraising efforts, instead of focusing on cash-for-access events where politicians have to shake down wealthy donors for big bucks."

Schreiner was invited to testify for two hours Wednesday afternoon by an order of the house.

He called for lower contribution limits, which would allow individuals to donate only $1,550 a year, to a party, its candidates or its associations combined. He also said party spending limits should be dropped from to 68 cents an elector from 80 cents.

Schreiner also called for stronger disclosure rules concerning individual donations, in order to prevent unions and corporations from skirting the ban on their donations by funnelling their money through individuals' donations.

"Some jurisdictions in the U.S. require individuals to list their employer and occupation when making a donation in an effort to avoid corporations from funneling donations through individuals," Schreiner said. "Quebec requires donations to be verified by Elections Quebec before being transferred to parties and candidates. Bill 201 should adopt similar requirements to ensure that everyone is playing by the rules and that the fundraising system is open and transparent."

He agreed with Progressive Conservative MPPs on the committee, who have been calling on the bill to close a loophole that allows unions and corporations to pay people to volunteer on politicians' campaigns, without counting that pay a campaign as a contribution under the law.

Political donors should disclose their employer and occupation, committee told

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