Stéphane Dion‘s leadership may be forgotten, but he’s not gone. He still can be spotted walking the halls on Parliament Hill in the manner of Willy Loman.
Dion is also still passing the hat to pay down the bills from his 2006 leadership bid as a year-end deadline comes due on the outstanding debts.
From Ottawa – Vanier Liberal MP Mauril Belanger comes this invitation:
Dear colleagues and friends,
Join me and the Honourable Stéphane Dion at a fundraising event whose proceeds will go towards the settlement of the debt related to his 2006 Leadership race.
All are welcome!
Ticket: $125 each *
When: October 16th, 2011, starting at 6 pm
Where: Rideau Carleton Raceway, 4837 Albion Road, Ottawa
This event is a great opportunity for everyone to get together and recognize Stéphane’s dedication to our party and our country. Come and join us for a good time!
To purchase your ticket or a table (seats 4 or 6 persons) for this event, or should you wish to contribute but will not be able to attend, please reply to this e-mail and provide me with your name and telephone number. We will get back to you shortly.
Looking forward to see you there!
Mauril
Two years ago, Dion and several other failed leadership contestants were given an extension by Justice Paul B. Kane of the Ontario Superior Court. They were unable to raise the funds required to pay off loans and other debts, largely because it’s tough to get punters to pony up for a failed bid, especially with the $1,100 annual limit on political contributions that keeps a single donor from writing a big cheque.
Affidavits filed with the court showed then-MP Maurizo Bevilacqua‘s campaign still owed $193,133 in unpaid debts and expenses at the end of the 2009; Joe Volpe‘s owed $152,800, Martha Hall Findlay‘s $130,260; and Hedy Fry‘s another $78,500. The Dion campaign carried the smallest debt into the new year, owing $40,000.
Dion is reportedly close to meeting his target, I’m told.
It’s not an annual limit, it’s a limit over the entire life of that leadership contest. So anyone who gave $1,100 to Michael Ignatieff or Bob Rae or Gerard Kennedy, or who has given a total of $1,100 to all of them, cannot contribute to reducing Stéphane Dion’s debt now, no matter how much they might like to.
Stephane Who?
How much did each candidate owe and how much have they paid off?
It would be interesting to see how much effort each made to pay down their debts.
It seems that Dian deserves some credit. His debts are almost paid off.
How much did each candidate owe and how much have they paid off?
It would be interesting to see how much effort each made to pay down their debts.
It seems that Dion deserves some credit. His debts are almost paid off.
Elections Canada had no qualms about taking Conservatives to court, and in that case it was debatable whether there had been wrongdoing. Now it’s absolutely clear that numerous Liberals have broken the law, and yet nothing has been done.