SCOOP: "She's expensive"
Meet the newest must-know person in PO, Q2 cash, first-ever LCBO strike, L-Mac Attack II and more
ABOVE THE FOLD
First in Observer — RECEIPTS REVEALED II — I’ve been parsing Elections Ontario’s financial returns for the Liberal and NDP leadership contests — and today, I’m revealing how much the candidates spent on advertising, polling, outreach, caffeine and pizza for door-knockers, and even a new wardrobe.
Catch up on Part I, which lays out which operatives got paid what.
Let’s start with the Grits.
BONNIE CROMBIE — The Grit captain is raising eyebrows in her own camp and beyond for expensing $5,166 at high-end clothing stores during the 2023 leadership race.
According to Crombie’s campaign receipts, she charged $3,765 at Freda’s, a boutique that offers personal shoppers by appointment. Another $766 was spent at Veronica Beard, an upscale shop where best sellers range from a $195-short-sleeve tee to a $1,598-blazer. She dropped another $635 at Judith & Charles, a posh retailer in Yorkville. Plus, $858 for makeup artist A Glow By Joan.
“Bonnie’s donors should not be buying her a new wardrobe,” said one senior card-carrying Grit, party donor and Crombie supporter.
It’s more ammo for the PCs, who are blasting ads that paint Crombie as an out-of-touch elitist. “Bonnie Crombie: she’s expensive,” a voiceover warns. Listen:
“It’s Horwath all over again,” suggested one top Tory. That’s a reference to when then-leader ANDREA HORWATH expensed the NDP thousands for clothing, including at swank shops like Holt Renfrew. Horwath was called a champagne socialist at the time.
It isn’t clear if MARIT STILES is keeping up the sartorial tradition. Stiles claimed more than $8,000 in personal expenses during her solo leadership bid, but under $200, specifics are scant. (More on Stiles’s returns momentarily.)
Crombie also paid herself a $28,134 salary during the race after taking an unpaid leave of absence from her mayoral duties in Mississauga.
I asked the Liberals for comment. Crickets. I’ll update this space if I hear back.
Here’s what else Crombie, Stiles and the rest of the Liberal leadership hopefuls spent their campaign cash on: