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,…