Cha-Ching

Liberals quadruple fundraising totals

Jane Taber

Globe and Mail Update Last updated on Thursday, Jul. 30, 2009 07:01AM EDT

The Ignatieff Liberals have raised $3.9-million in the second quarter for this year, four times the amount raised last year at this time when Stéphane Dion was leader.

The party posted its results on Twitter Wednesday evening with an update that read, in part: “Exclusive 2nd Quarter Fundraising numbers are in: $3.9M More than 4 times last year's.”

Last year, in an election year, the party raised a total of $5.8-million. So far this year, the Grits under Leader Michael Ignatieff have raised $5.7-million.

It is not known yet what Stephen Harper's Tories have raised for this period, but last year they attracted $3.5-million in the second quarter. Liberal Party spokesman Daniel Lauzon said the results are “cause for optimism” as the Grits have had trouble raising funds.