Ottawa — The federal Liberals were the big losers under new party financing rules last year, as their private-sector fundraising dropped to less than half the total of the rival Conservatives.
Figures released by Elections Canada show the Liberals took in $5.2-million in the election year of 2004, while the newly merged Conservatives raked in $10.9-million.
It was the first year federal parties operated under new legislation that severely restricts donations by corporations and wealthy individuals.
The effect is to force parties to rely on a larger number of grassroots donors — and on money from the public treasury pegged to the number of votes they win at the polls.
The NDP reported $5.19-million in private donations last year, but that included provincial branches as well as the federal party.
The Bloc Québécois, which runs candidates only in Quebec, took in $897,000.
