Jim Dinn, leader of NL’s New Democratic Party (NDP) said that since 2010, Newfoundland Power/Fortis has donated nearly $400,000 dollars to the liberal and Progressive Conservative parties in NL. Photo by Cameron Kilfoy/The TelegramArticle contentSince 2010, Newfoundland Power/Fortis has donated nearly $400,000 to both the Liberal and Conservative parties of NL, according to New Democratic Party (NDP) of NL leader Jim Dinn. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentDinn said that in the last two years alone, about $50,000 has been donated to each party. Article contentArticle contentTo him, he added, it is concerning due to the public outcry earlier this year over rising electricity bills and people struggling to pay them across the province. Dinn said that this leads him to wonder if it is because of these donations that it has been difficult to get the government to take action over the rising costs. Article contentArticle content“We brought up in the House of Assembly a petition about removing the HST on all forms of home heating, including electricity,” said Dinn. Article content“We put forward such a motion in the private member’s resolution in the House of Assembly, which was soundly defeated by all members of the House of Assembly, by both the PCs and the Liberals.”Article content Jim Dinn, leader of NL’s New Democratic Party (NDP), said that if his party forms government in the upcoming provincial election, he will cut HST from all forms of home heating, including electricity. Photo by Cameron Kilfoy/The TelegramArticle contentELECTION PROMISEArticle contentIt is because winter is around the corner and people are starting to worry again about how they heat their homes, that Dinn has put forth his and the NDP’s latest commitments if they form government and are elected in the next provincial election. Article contentThe call for an election has not come, but it must be called by Oct. 15, 2025. Article contentDinn’s campaign promises are as follows: to remove HST on all forms of home heating, including electricity, and launch an independent investigation into power rate increases. When power rate increases were investigated before Dinn said it was done by Newfoundland Power, which he doesn’t see as an “independent investigation.” Article contentArticle contentAdditionally, he plans to reform the Elections Act to address corporate and union donations, ensuring a “level playing field.”Article content“I can tell you that anyone who’s on a modest income knows what the struggle is coming,” said Dinn. “So that would be our commitment right there, and that’s what we would promise.” Article contentWHAT CAN CORPORATIONS DONATE TO PARTIES?Article contentAccording to the Elections NL website, contributions or donations to registered political parties and candidates in the province may be made only by individuals or by corporations and trade unions individually.Article contentElections NL website also notes that there is no limitation on the amounts that these entities can donate to parties or candidates, but the contribution must be from their own funds – meaning people, companies, or unions can’t give money that isn’t really theirs. Article contentWhen it comes to whether Newfoundland Power/Fortis has ever donated to the NDP of NL, Dinn said that he could safely say no.
Dinn questions the link between political donations and rising electricity costs
