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By Joan Bryden The Canadian Press

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau speaks in Edmonton on Aug. 20, 2014.

LONDON, Ont. Federal Liberals posted their best fundraising haul in a decade last year, filling their partys war chest just in time for this years election.

The final numbers for the fourth quarter of 2014 are to be filed with Elections Canada by the end of the month.

But party insiders say the Liberal take for the last three months of the year topped $5.6 million, bringing the total for the year close to $16 million.

Thats likely not enough to beat the Conservatives, who are on track to exceed their 2013 fundraising haul of $18.1 million.

But it will take a big bite out of the Tories fundraising advantage, which the ruling party has enjoyed since 2006, when corporate and union donations were prohibited and severe restrictions on individual donations were imposed.

The Liberals, who had been heavily reliant on donations from corporations and wealthy individuals, struggled for years to raise money under the new regime. But they have been steadily closing the fundraising gap since Justin Trudeau took the partys helm 21 months ago.

Trudeau and his 34 MPs are to get an update on the partys fundraising efforts today during the first of a two-day caucus retreat to plot strategy for next weeks resumption of Parliament and for the election, scheduled for October.

For the first time in years, the winter retreat is being held outside of Ottawa another sign that the party is flush with cash, for a change. The Liberals have chosen the location in the midst of Ontarios battered manufacturing heartland deliberately.

Read more from the original source:
Liberals begin two-day retreat in London, Ont.