Ontario NDP supporters have a right to know who is funding each candidate's leadership campaign prior to casting a ballot for them at their upcoming leadership convention. Current rules and guidelines from Elections Ontario don't guarantee that will occur, but it should. Given this failing, candidates themselves should step up and publicly disclose the information early enough for voters to properly consider the information. Transparency breeds accountability, as the NDP often argues.

The March 7, 2009 leadership contest presents an opportunity for prospective contestants to make a bold statement about their commitment to openness and accountability, amongst other things. On these two key areas they may lead by example, starting with, but not limited to, the public disclosure of all campaign contributions prior to a first ballot vote. Perhaps candidates could post their donations online even prior to Elections Ontario releasing them.

The Ontario Election Finances Act sets out some rules for party leadership contests. Guidelines for these events differ from those of general elections. For example, there are no contribution or expense limits. Importantly, leadership campaign contributions are not tax deductable, so taxpayers will not be on the hook for what may prove to be a costly campaign as, at least for one already declared candidate, it will last eight months. As well, rules provide a weak requirement of 'real time disclosure' (RTD) for donations.

Here is how RTD works. When contributions in excess of $100 and contributions from a single source that, in the aggregate, exceed $100 are made to registered leadership contestants, their chief financial officer must file a report with the Chief Electoral Officer within ten business days after the contribution is deposited. The Chief Electoral Officer in turn must publish the information on the Elections Ontario web site within ten business days of receiving the report.

This may a good start but the loopholes are so large a blind man driving an elephant could maneuver through them. From the date contributions are deposited, there may be up to 20 business days - a full calendar month - prior to their public disclosure. A candidate may accept donations and choose not to deposit them until only days prior to the vote, thus complying with guidelines, yet depriving voters of the information prior to a vote.

Further, it is also unclear why $100 is the magic threshold for disclosure. Cheques and donations of $99.99 or less don't qualify. This numbers is purely arbitrary and should be reduced to zero: all campaign contributions ought to be disclosed no matter how large or small.

The leadership campaign is already underway with Michael Prue, a Toronto area MPP for the riding of Beaches-East York, having declared his candidacy. With one declared candidate already out the gate, money is being spent and donations are likely being taken. They should be transparent and accountable.

The Ontario NDP, like many New Democratic parties, at least when in opposition, have a fairly clear history of advocating for more accountable and more transparent government. Now is the time for them to walk the talk. In Ontario recently they called for improved transparency and accountability in long-term care facilities. Peter Kormos has long been such an advocate for example, having called for accountability over the abuse of government funds in "slush-gate" and having asked for the disclosure of secret Legislature budgets used for cushy foreign trips. Kormos also led the recent fight against MPPs voting themselves a 25% pay hike.

Those wanting to lead Ontario's NDP face interesting challenges as the Liberals hold strong and the Green Party continue to eat into the NDP's support base. The Greens in particular won over 8% of the vote in the last election. One way for NDP Leadership contestants to shake things up would be to champion a more open and accountable government. Leadership candidates should remember accountability begins at home.