(Montreal) The Liberal Party of Canada (PLC) announced Tuesday evening the rules that would govern campaign spending for the next party leadership race.
Posted at 10:58 p.m.
Caroline Chatelard
The Canadian Press
The Expenditures Committee decided to limit a leadership candidate’s campaign expenses to $5 million and set its maximum debt limit at $200,000 at any time during the campaign, said the left by press release.
The registration fees amount to $350,000. A sum that former liberal strategists considered dissuasive for those who would consider getting into the game. Candidates must declare before January 23, after having made a first payment of $50,000.
In the statement, party president Sachrit Mehra said the PLC “is ready to run a safe, fair and robust leadership race” and invited anyone interested to join the party.
The Liberals tightened the rules for who is eligible to vote after concerns were raised that anyone with a Canadian address over the age of 14 could potentially vote.
-To participate in this selection process, you must be registered as a Liberal member before January 27, be at least 14 years old and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have status under the Indian Act.
The political party warned last week that it would remove “fraudulent profiles” from its list of voters eligible to vote to choose its next leader. Fake profiles using fake names or pet names and listing the address of the prime minister or the Chinese embassy had been reported online.
The Liberals will choose their new leader on March 9.
So far, Ontario MP Chandra Arya, former Montreal MP Frank Baylis and Mi’kmaq MP Jaime Battiste have indicated that they intend to be part of the race.
Former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to announce her intention to run for the leadership of the Liberal Party just before the swearing-in of United States President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
Former central bank governor Mark Carney has also suggested he will take the plunge.
