Tories and NDP stand to profit from votes for candidates they turfed
Two candidates dropped by their parties over inappropriate social media comments not only remain on the ballot, the parties that turfed them stand to benefit financially from every vote they garner.
Despite having turned their backs on Jad Crnogorac and Bill McEwen, the PCs and NDP, respectively, will receive $1.67 for each vote these candidates receive because taxpayers help fund political parties on a per vote basis.
Both parties put forward their names as official candidates, but failed to withdraw them by 2 p.m. on May 10, the cutoff date for candidate nominations.
Because they are still legally considered candidates, Elections Nova Scotia will tally votes for Crnogorac in Dartmouth South as PC votes and McEwen votes in Dartmouth East will go to the NDP.
Last year, the NDP received $93,371.80 in per vote funding, the PCs got $91,556.60 and the Liberals pocketed $159,028.69 in money from taxpayers.
That may help explain why an NDP staffer who has been part of NDP Leader Gary Burrill's campaign team posted a Facebook message this week appearing to urge people to vote for McEwen.
"You can still vote for the NDP in Dartmouth East. The party's name will be on the ballot," wrote Kyle Buott in a post that has since been deleted.
On Friday, Burrill said his campaign wasn't urging voters to support McEwen.
"This is not an encouragement in any direction," he said. "This is simply a statement of the fact. Because Bill McEwen had withdrawn after the date for nomination, his name remains on the ballot."
Burrill won't rule out using subsidy
Asked if the NDP would pocket the per vote funding that will flow for those McEwan votes, Burrill wasn't sure.
"That's a question that has not yet been answered, but it needs to be answered and we'll get that calculated and have an answer. I don't have the answer to that today," he said.
Burrill also refused to exclude the possibility of McEwen joining the NDP caucus if he were to win his riding, and said the idea hadn't been discussed.
"That's further down the road of ifs than we'd be prepared to go today I think," he said.
Tories vow not to use Dartmouth South subsidy
The Tories have promised to find other uses for the per vote subsidy in Dartmouth South, including the possibility of donating it to a worthy cause, according to party spokesperson Jenni Edge.
"We are still working on the mechanics," she told CBC News.
She said the central campaign office has received many calls from PC supporters in the riding wondering who to vote for. Edge said they have been told it is entirely their decision.
The party is categorical when it comes to accepting Crnogorac into caucus were she to score an upset win.
"She is not welcome," Edge said.
