In the months leading up to Quebec's provincial election, the Parti Québécois received nearly three times as much money in donations than the Quebec Liberals. The PQ would end up losing to the Liberals, who won enough seats to form a majority government.
Incumbent parties and those leading in the polls typically receive more contributions, an unsettling reality for critics who say donations are an attempt to curry favour once the party wins government. But Quebec has some of the strictest donation laws in the country. Unlike Ontario, unions and corporations are not allowed to donate. In 2013, the PQ also lowered the donation cap from $1,000 per party, per year, down to $100, saying it was an effort to curb corruption. During an election year, contributors can give an additional $100 per party.
Elections Québec posts donation information 30 days after parties provide the data, so it's unclear whether later shifts in the campaign are captured in the figures. Donations dates are not provided. At most, the data could go as far back as March 9, the day media titan Pierre Karl Péladeau raised his fist at his nomination announcement and proclaimed he wanted to "make Quebec a country." The moment was considered a turning point in the campaign when fears over separatism were thought to shift support heavily in favour of the Liberals.
Donations to Quebec provincial parties
Retrieved on April 9, 2014
SOURCE: Quebec Elections