OTTAWA – The Liberals have introduced a bill in the Senate aimed at stopping political parties from going on pre-election advertising binges.
Senator Dennis Dawson’s bill – which is aimed at the cash-rich Tories – comes amid renewed election speculation on Parliament Hill.
Currently, parties can spend as much as they like on advertising in the months leading up to an election call.
Such pre-writ advertising is not considered part of a party’s election expenses, which are strictly limited once an election campaign is under way.
Dawson’s bill would amend the Canada Elections Act to classify all advertising in the three months prior to an election call as an election expense.
Dawson says his bill closes a loophole that has allowed parties with overflowing war chests to circumvent election spending limits.
