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For Canadians who want proof that the chattering classes often resemble sheep, the best example comes from their chronic bleating that too much money flows into politics — a position that always favours existing politicians.

For those not paying attention, Alberta’s NDP government has proposed a series of constricting measures. They include caps on spending in provincial elections at $1.6 million for each party and restrictions on party leadership campaigns at just $330,000 per candidate.

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To some, this is good news.

Talking heads, columnists, academics and politicians routinely tell the public that campaign finance reform is needed. They mean that less money should be raised and spent on getting the public’s attention during elections.

As justification for this clamp, some claim that the billions spent on American elections corrupt the process and politicians. This example, we are informed by north-of-the-border lambs, justifies multiple Canadian government restrictions on what parties, people and groups can spend during elections.