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Nearly $1 million in contributions were deposited into the B.C. Liberal partys bank account just three days after the May 9 election, reinforcing the perception that this province is the wild west when it comes to its unfettered political donations.

The most recent donors are the whos who of corporate B.C. with real-estate developers leading the way followed by construction and forestry companies, big oil, big banks and big law firms.

And, amid a slew of $25,000 donations, theres one from an unnumbered company. A corporate search turned up no information on the B.C.-registered company, not even a mailing address.

No doubt, Liberals are anxious to restock their campaign war chest before the new government rewrites legislation governing both contributions and campaign spending.

Campaign financing reform was one of the non-negotiable demands of the B.C. Green party, which holds the balance of power and has agreed to support a minority New Democratic Party government.

The other reason is that a government with a one-seat majority is at daily risk of toppling, despite the brave words from John Horgan and Andrew Weaver that their alliance is intended to last 4 years.

Its unlikely that the Liberals bank account was empty post election. By the end of 2016, it had already raised $7.6 million more than enough even with B.Cs unusually high spending limit of $4.9 million. Of course, individual candidates are also allowed to spend up to $77,675.

Still, its clear from the Liberals online donor disclosures that in the past month Christy Clarks party has been doing what it does best raising money.

May 12 was a bountiful day for the bank account, according to the Liberals disclosure for the week ending May 19. Just over $900,000 from 437 donors was deposited. Of those, 84 donors gave more than $1,000.

Seven of the 10 largest donations came from developers, led by Richmonds Rick Ilich at $100,000. Norman Cressey gave $75,000 in $25,000 increments through three numbered companies, while Wesgroup Properties (owned by the Weesik family) also donated $75,000.

Maple Ridge Plaza Properties gave $50,000 and three other developers donated $25,000 each BlueSky Properties, Bosa Properties and Reliance Properties. Shato Holdings gave $20,000.

Other notable donors are: law firms Fasken, Martineau, DuMoulin LLP and Farris, Vaughn, Wills and Murphy LLP, Seaspan, Neptune Terminals, Toronto-Dominion Bank, CIBC Head Office, Chevron Canada, Encana, Enbridge, Canadian Pacific Railways, Buron Healthcare (which runs care homes in partnership with Interior Health) and the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Association.

The following week, there were more deposits 856 in all. Most were under $100, which added up to roughly $60,000. The exception was a $5,000 donation from A&W Canada CEO Paul F.B. Hollands.

Its not clear whether these reported donations were made before or after the election. Party spokesman Emile Scheffel said contributions are only recorded by deposit date.

He noted in an email, All contributions we receive of more than $250 are reported to Elections B.C. as part of our Annual Financial Report and, if applicable, our Election Financing Report, which covers contributions deposited during the writ period up to and including May 9.

Aside from that reporting requirement, there is no rule about how much can be raised either during a campaign or between campaigns.

While the Liberals voluntarily disclose their donations online, the other parties dont. So, well have to wait to see how they fared in the money sweepstakes.

Still, what we do know is that as soon as the NDP forms government, it will likely put at least as much energy into ending 16 years of the Liberals pay-for-play system and reforming the election spending laws as it does raising money.

Exactly how theyll do that hasnt been determined. But it will be one of the first issues that the Green-backed New Democrats will tackle.

Meantime, it bears pointing out that for a political party to deposit a million bucks a few days after an election is impressive at anytime and especially following a defeat. But in the coming weeks, there may be fertile ground for the Liberals to raise even more among the free-enterprisers who are deeply suspicious of socialist New Democrats, let alone tree-hugging Greens.

Those fears were likely stoked with the release of the NDP and Greens ambitious and sweeping alliance agreement that includes: doing everything possible to stop construction of Kinder Morgans Trans Mountain pipeline expansion; a review of both Site C dam and a Massey tunnel replacement; increasing the carbon tax; potentially raising the minimum wage; and adding new social programs including $10-a-day child care.

That potential for raising even more money may help explain why Christy Clark is in no hurry to hand over government. Her decision to recall the legislature and force the alliance to defeat the Liberals in the legislature buys the party more time for fundraising.

It may also buy Clark time. Shes a superb fundraiser, a skill that may keep the knives of disaffected Liberals sheathed at least for the short term.

dbramham@postmedia.com

twitter.com/daphnebramham

B.C. Liberals contributions of $1,000 or more in the week ending May 19

AmountDonor

100,000Rick Ilich

75,000Norman Cressey (through three numbered companies)

75,000Wesgroup

50,000Maple Ridge Plaza Properties

30,000Burnco Rock Products

25,000BlueSky Properties

25,000Bosa Properties

25,000Reliance Properties

25,000318219 BC Ltd.

24,000Fasken, Martineau, DuMoulin LLP

20,000Laurmel Holdings Ltd

20,000Shato Holdings

15,000Progressive Waste Solutions Canada

15,000Seaspan ULC

15,000The Arrow Group of Companies

15,000The Toronto-Dominion Bank

10,000Pacific Customs Brokers Ltd

10,000Quantum Properties

10,000Landcor Data Corporation

10,000Lake Excavating

10,000James A Allard

10,000In Re Capital Inc.

10,000Farris Vaughan, Wills & Murphy

10,000Chevron Canada Limited

10,000Buron Healthcare Ltd.

10,000BC Professional Fire Fighters Assoc

9,875North Shore Studios Management Ltd

9,500Horizon Construction Management Ltd

8,500London Air Services Ltd

8,000Intracorp Projects Ltd

7,500Carrier Lumber

7,500Joey Restaurant Group

5,000BA Blacktop

5,000Bayshore Healthcare

5,000Berezan (Juniper) Entrerprises Ltd.

5,000Burke Mountain Ltd Partnership

5,000Canadian Pacific Railway

5,000Canoe Forest Products

5,000Cascade Aerospace Inc

5,000Chalk Hill Investments Ltd.

5,000CIBC Head Office

5,000 Downie Timber Ltd.

5,000Encana Corp Ltd.

5,000Gorman Brothers

5,000Inwest Investments Ltd.

5,000Kirmac Automotive Collision

5,000Neptune Terminals

5,000Pageant Holdings Ltd.

5,000Persis Holdings Ltd.

5,000Steve Evans

5,000Triple E Ventures

5,000Wesbild Holdings

4,000Steelhead LNG

4,000Harbour Air

4,000Centra Construction Group

3,500Barry Marsden

3,400Wazuku Advisory Group

2,500Progressive Holdings Ltd

2,500Arin Industries Inc

2,500Sharon E White Law Corp

2,000Geoffrey Cowper

2,000BC Fresh Vegetables Inc

1,800William B. Fox

1,750Boralex Inc

1,500Yaletown Brewing Co.

1,150Bobleeco Family Holdings Ltd.

1,150Pencor Capital Corp

1,150Blue Grass Holdings Ltd.

1,150361036 BC Ltd

1,150502178 BC Ltd

1,000Portrait Homes

1,000Randy F Bartsch

1,000Nelson Management & Construction

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BC Liberals deposit close to $1 million in donations three days after election - Calgary Herald