Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz is coming under fire after it was learned he made $300,000 in donations to Alberta Premier Alison Redford’s political party.
Considering Katz has been attempting to build a new downtown arena for the Oilers and its construction hinges partly on a $100 million contribution from the province, it’s easy to see why this is a story.
What’s more, the maximum allowable donation from an individual is $30,000.
Granted, that limit wasn’t technically exceeded as the total contribution was split into smaller donations from Katz’s family members and employees.
The province maintains the donation didn’t buy any promises and is sticking by its original stance that no provincial money will go directly towards the arena. However, the city is free to take $100 million out of a fund the province grants municipalities for infrastructure projects.