SCOOP: Party payouts
And fresh faces
ABOVE THE FOLD
It’s that time again — Ontario’s political parties have filed their 2024 financial disclosures. Some ended the year strong, others not so much. I’ve got the breakdown: who pulled in the most cash, who spent the most — and which consultants, firms, and insiders benefitted along the way.
Before we dig in, allow me to toot my own horn — We called it!: The PC Party officially announced GARETH NEILSON as its new executive director. This newsletter suggested as much yesterday morning. It’s not Neilson’s first rodeo: He’s got two decades of grassroots organizing under his belt and previously did a stint as the party’s Director of Organization. He replaces DAVID GARLAND.
Said DOUG FORD, via press release: “Gareth knows our Party inside and out. He’s a hard worker who’s been on the ground across the province, building strong local teams. I know he’ll do a great job helping us get ready for the next election.”
For those of us still smarting from this year’s election — I’ve got receipts!
First in Observer — We trekked to Elections Ontario to get a glimpse of the political parties’ financial returns for 2024. These receipts cover last year’s annual period, which doesn’t capture February’s campaign, but they do give us some insight into the parties’ financial health on the eve of the election. Campaigns cost money, after all.
Stay tuned for more dirt in those campaign receipts. For now, sate yourselves with last year’s money moves…
For the PCs:
BY THE NUMBERS — The PCs closed out 2024 with $8,720,399 in the bank — a hefty chunk of change that would go a long way to helping them secure a third majority victory in 2025. According to the filing, the PCs campaign period income was $7,971,721, while the party posted a whopping $16,462,860 in expenses, including more than $6.5 million for advertising and $2.3 million on salaries and benefits.
Advertising/Communications/Media:
Bell Media: $224,697
Creative Currency: $143,999
Rogers Media: $127,585
The Sports Network: $25,651
Fundraising expenses:
The Responsive Marketing Group, the firm connected to the PCs invoice-style fundraising mailer controversy: $96,281
Woodbine Entertainment Group: $3,879
Royal Ontario Museum: $3,755
Outreach:
ElectRight, where MICHAEL CRASE, former executive director of the PC Party, worked as chief operating officer: $2,486
Office and administration (“other”):
Italian restaurant Posticino, in the heart of Ford Nation in Etobicoke: $8,343
Origo Communications Corp: $20,348
For the Liberals:
BY THE NUMBERS — According to their financial statements, the Grits wound up with $4,244,487 at the end of 2024, with $5,114,720 in expenses. The red line: $81,625 on their campaign period income statement. Big-ticket items include just over $1 million on ads and $1.5 million on salaries and benefits.
Research and polling:
Data Sciences, the firm headed up by JUSTIN TRUDEAU’s childhood friend and former campaign chief digital strategist TOM PITFIELD, and the keeper of the party’s voter-contact database Liberalist: $815,413. Plus, another $318,930 for advertising, bringing the grand tally to $1,134,343
Poliscience: $40,454
Professional fees:
MILTON CHAN, party counsel and, at times, a lightning rod in the party.: $4,082
JONATHAN SCOTT’s namesake consulting firm: $22,600. Reminder: Scott is a longtime organizer, local councillor and close ally of leader BONNIE CROMBIE
Salaries and benefits:
OLP staff: $1,192,924
DAVID INNES, who was director of Information Technology for the then-ruling Grits: $82,478
Advertising:
Key Gordon Communications, which is led by advertising exec and ex-Liberal candidate GRANT GORDON and designed the new Liberal logo: $38,890. Plus, another $4,181 for meetings hosted, rounding out the total to $43,071
Citizen Relations: $650,000