Fundraising Efforts

According to an Elections Canada report it appears that Liberal Leadership Candidate Bob Rae has reached #1 in terms of fundraising efforts, reaching $384,795. Coming in second was Michael Ignatieff with $293,896 and third place goes to Joe Volpe with $210,170. With the other 8 candidates not even coming close to the hundred thousand mark at this point.

While the rules say each candidate may spend a max of $3.4 million on their campaign - it doesn't seem that any of the candidates will be able to reach this distant number. With the whole 'grassroots' movement going on it is that much more difficult for candidates to raise large amounts and also with the number of candidates vowing for funds, the donations are being split 11 ways essentially.

This makes fundraising quite the ordeal for many of the campaigns. Notably for Ken Dryden who was obliged to lay off a number of campaign workers due to a lack of adequate finances.

But while Dryden suffers financially mid way through his campaign, Ignatieff appears to lead the way in terms of progression on the grassroots level . Ignatieff has the highest number of donors -510 to be specific- which is far beyond anyone else in this race now. Quite impressive for a candidate people claimed was too "out of touch" with the average Canadian if you ask me.

But far from being done, each campaign still has more than enough work cut out for them.