By Dennis Bueckert, for Canadian Press
OTTAWA — Elections Canada is in talks with the federal Green Party over possible violations of federal election law by its leader, Jim Harris, The Canadian Press has learned.
The discussions are based on a letter of complaint filed by Matthew Pollesel, the party's former assistant national organizer. Pollesel alleges that the former grassroots party has been hijacked to gain access to federal election subsidies provided under the new elections-financing law.
The law was introduced by former prime minister Jean Chretien to reduce the dependence of politicians on donations from corporations and unions, and gives parties a subsidy of $1.75 per year for each vote won in the last election.
The formerly impoverished Green Party is now collecting $1.1 million annually in subsidies.
Asked on Thursday about how the money is being used, Harris deferred to his staff: "I am the leader of the party," he said. "I don’t manage the party."
He said the party files all necessary statements with Elections Canada, and declined to reveal his own salary....
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