Big third-party ad spenders

Plus: More 413 drama, hydrogen proposal, love and lobbying II, fresh candidates on the ticket

ABOVE THE FOLD

THIRD-PARTY AD SPENDERS, RANKED — Roughly two weeks out from campaign kick-off in Ontario, third-party groups are making it rain for election advertising.

Third parties like unions, PACs and advocacy groups can spend $654,600 on advertising in the run-up to the writ drop on May 4 — cash they have to stretch over 12 months instead of six, due to the PCs controversial and court-challenged changes to the law.

Nurses are running ads on TV and social media.

Queen’s Park Observer first ranked third-party ad buys back in November. Here’s where the campaigns stand now, according to Elections Ontario’s latest disclosures (and thanks to more onerous reporting requirements):

Ontario Nurses’ Association — $654,165

Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario — $653,929

Ontario Federation of Labour — $592,007

United Steelworkers — $589,013 

Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association — $537,200

Ontario Medical Association — $467,240

Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD…