Liberals barely scratching two loonies together

CANADA - The once-mighty Liberal party has raised less money from fewer donors so far this year than the NDP, traditionally the poor sister of Canadian politics.

According to quarterly financial returns posted by Elections Canada, fewer than 35,000 donors contributed a total of $3.6 million to the Liberal party from January to September this year.

The NDP did better than the Liberals, raking in $3.7 million from almost 44,000 contributors. Over the same period, the Conservatives sucked up almost $15 million from more than 125,000 individuals.

The dismal financial news comes just as Liberals are digesting the results of the Oct. 14 election, in which the party fell to its lowest share of the popular vote – 26.2 per cent – since Confederation.

Disgraced leader Stephane Dion has already agreed to step down and Liberal party pundits are questioning whether it will be Bob Rae, Michael Ignatieff or Justin Trudeau to replace him.

We personally favour Justin Trudeau, and also favour the NDP, Greens and Liberals combining into one political party. We need to unite the Canadian leftwing.