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Editorial: Gathering votes takes money

Groups both left and right shilled for votes in the Tri-Cities during the recent federal election
Third-party advertising
Third-party groups spent money to elect candidates, federal documents reveal. But it was the NDP and the Liberals who prevailed, despite cash spent to support Conservative candidates.

Who forked out cash to influence your vote in last October's federal election?

Most people would say it was the federal parties that spent millions on advertising and campaigns to get votes cast for their candidates.

But a closer reading of recently posted financial disclosure documents suggest other behind-the-scenes groups vied for your vote, too, in the weeks leading up to election day.

In the Tri-Cities, for example, groups both for and against the Stephen Harper Conservatives spent more than $10,000 on third party advertising to support candidates in Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam and Port Moody-Coquitlam ridings.
For the most part, it seems the money was evenly split between left and right organizations, so it's uncertain if the funds achieved their aims, given the come-from-behind strength of the federal Liberals.

Still, it's fascinating to see some of the dynamics at play in the campaign that, without disclosure requirements, would be hidden to voters.