NDP led political donations in runup to Alberta's election
Political fundraising numbers in the second quarter of this year shows Alberta's governing NDP took in the most money — but just barely.
The party slipped ahead of the Wildrose Party with help from union donations:
The second quarter tracks political donations from April 1 to June 30.
Funds given to parties during the official campaign period from April 7 until election day on May 5 do not have to be reported to Elections Alberta until November — meaning it's likely a majority of the second quarter tallies were donated in the six days leading up to the spring provincial election call.
Union donations
The NDP received $17,500 from unions in amounts over $250, out of a total of $104,018.15. Donations of $250 and less are not individually listed in the returns. Those smaller donations accounted for $165,712.46 of the NDP's total.
The NDP introduced legislation banning political donations from corporations and unions in Alberta as of June 15.
That bill, called An Act to Renew Democracy, unanimously passed third reading in the legislature last month.
The new rules applied retroactively to June 15, the day the bill was tabled in the legislature, so that parties wouldn't stockpile donations under the old rules.
Individuals can still donate a maximum of $30,000 in an election year and $15,000 in non-election years.
