Conservatives Just Broke the Record for Political Fundraising in Canada With $35 Million

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks at the Conservative Party Convention in Quebec City on Sept. 8, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot)

The Conservative Party of Canada, under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre, reported an unprecedented total of $35.2 million in donations, marking the highest annual fundraising amount ever recorded by a Canadian political party.

“These results prove support for my common sense plan to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime,” Mr. Poilievre stated in a news release.

This figure surpasses the previous non-election year record, also held by the Conservative Party, which was $24.2 million in 2018.

Throughout 2023, the Conservative Party’s fundraising efforts gained momentum, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they amassed $11.9 million. December proved to be an exceptionally successful month, with the party raising $7.08 million, the party said.

The total number of donations received by the party in 2023 was 200,248.

A recent survey conducted by Abacus, released on Jan. 29, indicates a surge in the popularity of the Conservative Party across Canada. The party is now leading in all regions except Quebec, boasting a 15-point advantage over the ruling Liberals on a national scale.

Related Stories

‘We Know It Can Be Fixed’: Poilievre Outlines His Vision for Canada at Conservative Convention

9/8/2023

Michael Taube: Why Is It So Difficult for a Conservative to Be Elected Mayor in Canada?

7/2/2023

The Conservatives have garnered 40 percent support, while the Liberals trail at 25 percent, according to the survey. Additionally, the New Democratic Party (NDP) holds 20 percent of the support, followed by the Bloc Québécois at 8 percent and the Green Party at 5 percent.

Mr. Poilievre was elected leader of the Conservatives in September 2022. If an election were held today, Canada polling website 338Canada puts the Conservatives’ chances at forming a majority government at 95 percent.

The other five major national parties raised considerably less than the Conservatives.

According to Elections Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals raised approximately $15.6 million in 2023, less than half of the Conservative total. In the last quarter of the year, which is usually the best one for every major national party, the Liberals raised $5.8 million. They amassed roughly 130,000 separate donations in 2023.

Jagmeet Singh’s NDP raised approximately $6.9 million in 2023, with $2.65 million coming in the last quarter. Approximately 67,500 separate donations were made to the NDP in 2023.

Elizabeth May’s Green Party raised approximately $1.9 million in 2023, $790,000 of which came in the last quarter. That year, 18,700 separate donations were made to the Green Party.

Yves-François Blanchet’s Bloc Québécois raised roughly $1.8 million in 2023, about $1 million of which was donated in the last quarter of the year. Around 12,500 separate donations were made to the Bloc in 2023.

Finally, Maxime Bernier’s PPC raised about $1.4 million in 2023, around $650,000 of which was in the last quarter. The PPC received approximately 16,000 separate donations in 2023.