NDP struggles to raise money as rival parties boast of record fundraising hauls

Jan 30, 2019 | 3:30 PM

OTTAWA — Federal Conservative, Liberal and Green parties all boasted record fundraising hauls as they headed into an election year, but the New Democrats continued to struggle to raise money.

According to financial returns filed with Elections Canada, the Conservatives raked in $7.4 million in the last three months of 2018 — the best fourth quarter result the party has ever recorded. That puts their total for last year at $24.3 million, the party’s best ever haul in a non-election year.

The governing Liberals were close behind, pulling in $6.4 million in the last three months of 2017 — their best fourth quarter result in a non-election year. Overall last year, the party pulled in $16.6 million.

Even the Greens were able to make their own fundraising history. They brought in almost $1.5 million in the last three months of the year for a total annual take of $3.1 million — representing the party’s best fourth quarter ever and best overall non-election year haul.