Donations bulge Tory coffers

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This article was published 16/04/2019 (2743 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives are flush with cash as they head into a possible election as early as this spring.

According to the PC party’s annual financial statement, the Tories raised more than $2 million in 2018 — more than three times that raised by the rival NDP. The Liberal party has yet to release its statement.

The Tories had more than $1 million in cash on hand at the close of the year.

According to the PC statement, posted on the Elections Manitoba website, the party received $1,630,340 in donations of $250 or more, and $370,398 in contributions that were below $250.

On Monday, the NDP’s financial return was released, showing donations of $627,974 in 2018, and cash on hand totalling $238,449.

In recent months, Premier Brian Pallister has hinted several times he may call a snap election this year. Elections Manitoba, the independent agency that runs provincial elections in the province, has already beefed up its staff in anticipation of a possible early vote.

Manitoba’s fixed election date is Oct. 6, 2020.

The PC financial return shows the party spent more on polling ($97,637) than it did on advertising ($37,637) in 2018. Its biggest expense was salaries and honorariums, at $630,604.

Three PC donors made contributions of $5,000 — the maximum allowable under Manitoba law — while another 17 contributed $4,000 or more.

Pallister donated $2,437.