Majority of Canada's Richest Donate to the Liberals

SURREY - Information available on Liberal donors may help to explain the Liberal government's reluctance to close tax loopholes, tighten rules on offshore tax havens and deliver better services Canadians need now, says the NDP.

"Time and again we've seen the Liberals put the interests of the richest people and corporations ahead of the interests of everyday people," said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. "Is that really a surprise? Not if you follow the money. Fifty-six percent of Canada's 100 richest are Liberal donors."

In November, Canadian Business magazine published the list of Canada's 100 richest families, which, cross referenced with information from Elections Canada and Postmedia's Follow the Money, reveals that 56 of those have donated to the Liberal Party and 61 have donated to the Conservative Party.

"More than 3.5 million Canadians can't afford the medication they need, and economists say universal pharmacare would save people billions of dollars, so we need to ask ourselves why won't the Liberal government implement it now? Is it donors with links to pharmaceutical and insurance companies that had an influence on that decision?" asked Singh. "Canadians deserve answers."

The NDP has been calling for universal pharmacare to reduce the out-of-pocket costs for healthcare people need, but the Liberal government has refused to commit, stalling by calling for more study. Liberal Finance Minister Bill Morneau has publicly stated he wants a fill the gaps model - a model which would not significantly lower costs for Canadians, but would protect profits for pharmaceutical and insurance companies.

"Too many Canadians are wondering why they keep getting squeezed. People need someone who is on their side, instead of governments that favour the richest one percent, " added Singh. "NDP MPs are determined to get the solutions people need now."