Conservatives raise twice as much as Liberals in first half of year as election looms

OTTAWA — The federal Conservatives raised roughly twice as much money as the Liberals in the first half of 2021, lending them a cash advantage ahead of a likely fall election.

Elections Canada filings show the Tories raked in $13.6 million in the first six months of the year versus $6.8 million for the Grits.

The contributions include newly released figures from the second quarter, when Conservatives raised $5.1 million from 34,865 donors compared to the Liberals’ $3.3 million from 36,495 donors.

The NDP pulled in more than $1.5 million last quarter, a slight dip from $1.6 million in the first three months of 2021.

The Bloc Québécois and Greens raised $312,000 and $682,000 respectively between April and June.

All parties are looking to beef up their war chests for spending on advertising, local riding battles and national campaign tours in advance of a writ drop expected as early as this month.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2021.

The Canadian Press