SCOOP: Liberal, NDP payouts

Doug Ford hits the links

ABOVE THE FOLD

First in Observer — RECEIPTS REVEALED — Call it a Sunshine List for inside baseball fans.

Want to know who made bank during the Liberal and NDP leadership contests? Wondering how the candidates spent their money? Curious to know BONNIE CROMBIE’s wardrobe bill? How about how much MARIT STILES made it rain at the LCBO?

We got our hands on a thick stack of receipts from Elections Ontario HQ in North York, which lay out the candidates’ expenses and which operatives got a paycheque.

Today, I’m revealing who got paid what — and stay tuned for Part II tomorrow to find out what the contestants bought on the campaign trail.

Let’s have at it.

For the Liberals, BONNIE CROMBIE:

According to Crombie’s financial returns, the now-leader paid herself a salary of $28,134 during 2023’s leadership contest.

It’s listed as “contestant lost salary,” which suggests that may have been to make up for the unpaid leave of absence she took from her mayoral duties in Mississauga before stepping down after clinching the Grit crown. Crombie’s rivals continued to pull their MPP and MP salaries during the race. (Read on for their receipts.)

As for Crombie’s top strategists: