Bernier files to create new party, donors undisclosed

OTTAWA — Quebec MP Maxime Bernier submitted the paperwork to make his new political party official Wednesday, but he doesn’t have to identify the donors of more than $350,000 he raised in the last seven weeks.

Bernier clutched a thick brown folder under his arm as he arrived at Elections Canada offices in Gatineau, Que., to seek official registration for the People’s Party of Canada.

He spoke for a few minutes with an Elections Canada official behind a pane of glass as he slid the file folder containing registration forms and the names, contact information and signatures of 475 people who are members of the party. The new party requires at least 250 people to support the registration, as well as have a name, a logo, a leader and several party officers in place.

Bernier says in fact there are 22,477 “founding members” and that he has raised more than $350,000 since he announced the new party Aug. 23. The party provided a screen shot of the online donation page showing $337,231.52. Officials say another $15,000 came in the mail by cheque.

Bernier says they have raised every dollar according the rules for registered parties, including maximum donations per person of $1,575, but the People’s Party of Canada doesn’t have to disclose the identity of donors who donated funds prior to the party’s formal registration.

Bernier said he is respecting Canadian legislation. “We are using that money to build the party.”