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Seventy-six per cent of B.C. residents also agree with the devastating accusation: “The B.C. government is only interested in helping its political donors and big business.”

Angus Reid found most British Columbians, especially those under age 35, want Victoria to inject more into affordable housing and to “shrink the gap between rich and poor.”

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, which represents 35 democratic nations, inherently supports the B.C. public’s collective wisdom.

The OECD says a jurisdiction’s political donations policy is key to whether a so-called democracy turns into an oligarchy, which the Webster Dictionary defines as “a government in which a small group exercises control, especially for corrupt and selfish purposes.”

The term hits painfully close to home in B.C.

Oligarchs make policy for the “highest bidder”

“Policy making should not be for sale to the highest bidder,” Secretary-General Angel Gurria said when the OECD launched its groundbreaking 2016 report on political financing.

“When a policy is influenced by wealthy donors, the rules get bent in favour of the few and against the interests of the many. Upholding rigorous standards in political finance is a key part of our battle to reduce inequality and restore trust in democracy.”

This week, Postmedia reporter Gordon Hoekstra offered yet more insight into this shady world, with a story detailing how the B.C. Liberals’ third highest donor, the New Car Dealer’s Association, will oversee $46 million in incentives paid for by taxpayers.