November 9, 2012
Province Announces Paul Thomas Appointed New Independent Allowance Commissioner
– – –William Neville Steps Aside Due to Personal Circumstances: Howard
Dr. Paul Thomas has been appointed to replace William Neville as the province’s allowance commissioner under the Elections Finances Act, government house leader Jennifer Howard announced today.
“I’d like to thank Paul Thomas for taking on this important role,” Howard said. “I am confident that with Dr. Thomas’ appointment we have found a commissioner who is able to help Manitoba put in place a fair, transparent process, outside partisan politics, to fund registered political parties.”
Howard noted that Neville was eager to serve as commissioner but has had to step aside due to personal circumstances.
Paul Thomas is a professor emeritus in political studies and former Duff Roblin Professor of Government at the University of Manitoba. He is the author of approximately 150 articles and chapters in books on Canadian politics and political parties, as well as having been a researcher for the Royal Commission on Electoral Reform. He was recently appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons to serve on the 2012 Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Manitoba. He has a reputation for objective, non-partisan work on public policy issues, said Howard.
Under legislative amendments introduced and passed in the spring, Manitoba is now Canada’s first province or territory to have an independent commissioner determine the public funding process for registered political parties.
The commissioner may consider factors such as the administration and operating costs of political parties before determining a fair level and method of funding. Polling and advertising costs would not be considered, as the annual allowance is intended to help political parties comply with provincial laws requiring parties to operate accountably and transparently. This will replace the previous per-vote subsidy.
Within three months of being appointed, the allowance commissioner must submit a report to the Speaker setting out their decisions, though the Speaker may extend that period.
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