Liberals plan to resume holding fundraisers in private homes, source says
In an effort to catch up to the Conservatives’ dominant fundraising machine ahead of the next federal election, Justin Trudeau’s Liberals plan to resume holding fundraisers in private homes.
A party source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed to the Star that the Liberals have ditched a policy adopted in 2017 to only hold political fundraisers in public spaces like hotel ballrooms. The source said the party will still ensure that media have access to live feeds of all fundraisers featuring the prime minister, but can no longer guarantee that reporters are able to attend all money-raising events now that are held in private spaces like homes.
“It allows us access to more donors,” the source said, acknowledging that the Liberals trail the Conservatives in the political fundraising game.
“The reality is they are ahead of us in that aspect,” the source said. “We shouldn’t hold our hands behind our backs.”
Trudeau’s Liberals announced they would stop holding closed fundraisers in private homes in 2017, after the party faced months of pressure over so-called cash-for-access events, where donors could pay up to $1,550 to schmooze with the prime minister and other powerful politicians. The Conservatives still hold fundraisers in private homes, and the NDP doesn’t have a policy against the practice.
The government also passed legislation in 2018 that requires fundraisers with tickets priced at more than $200 to be advertised at least five days in advance, if the event features a party leader, leadership contestant or a cabinet minister. The law also requires political parties to publicly report, through Elections Canada, the names of those who attend fundraisers.
The Liberal decision to start holding private fundraisers again comes as the party continues to raise significantly less money than the federal Conservatives. In the first half of this year, the Conservatives raised more than $20.5 million, compared to almost $6.9 million for the Liberals. The New Democrats chalked up $2.6 million in donations, and the Greens got $777,000.
All parties have said they are ready for an election as Trudeau’s minority government enters the fall parliamentary session without the support of the NDP. Earlier this month, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh broke the pact he made with Trudeau to prop up the government until June 2025 in exchange for policies like dental care for low-income Canadians, the beginnings of a pharmacare program that covers diabetes medicine and contraceptives, and a law banning companies from hiring replacement workers during strikes and lockouts.
The Conservatives, flush with cash and riding high in the polls, intend to table a non-confidence motion next week. The NDP and Bloc Québécois have said they will vote to keep the government alive and avoid an immediate election.
This article was first reported by The Star
