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B.C. Liberals way up on NDP for 2008 political donations

Gordon Campbell’s B.C. Liberal Party took in $7.9 million worth of political contributions compared to $2.9 million for Carole James’ New Democratic Party in calendar 2008.

The ruling party spent $8.5 million in the same period, dwarfing $3.3 million in Dipper spending, according to Annual Financial Reports made public today.

The numbers are taken from each party’s Statement of Income and Expenses (B.C. Liberal and NDP) and include contributions from individuals, corporations and other groups such as trade unions.

All political parties in the province had to file a financial report for 2008 by a March 31 deadline. The documents reflect each party’s fiscal situation over the previous year. They don’t show donations since the end of December, so they aren’t a complete economic picture.

But the reports do provide a snapshot of political spending and fundraising in the year leading up to an election.

The B.C. Liberals took in $2.3 million from individuals compared to about the same for the NDP.*

There was a big disparity in donations from corporations – the ruling party took in $4.7 million while the official opposition netted $38,216.

Not surprisingly, the NDP received $526,705 from trade unions compared to a paltry $3,040 for the B.C. Liberals.

Geoff Dembicki is a staff reporter for The Hook.

*Figures corrected 15:00 06/04/09.

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