Not Left, Not Right - Forward
Dear friend,
I hope you've had a great summer.
I'm writing to you because you contributed to one or more candidates for the 2006 Liberal leadership campaign.
I was not, at the time, one of the ones you supported, but I'm asking for your help now.
As you may know, I am considering running for the Liberal Leadership again. However, because of the difficult leadership fundraising rules (details below), I still have some campaign debt, and I do not feel that I should run until that debt is gone. For me to able to run, I'm asking you now to contribute what you can.
The rules allow a maximum of $1,100, so you can contribute the difference between that and what you contributed before. If you are not sure how much that is, please send us a note at info@marthahallfindlay.ca and we'll confirm for you. In any case, whatever you donate now, if it is more than your allowable limit, only the smaller amount will be accepted, so please don't hesitate -- please donate now by clicking here. Every contribution will help. Also, the contribution limits are per person, so please persuade anyone in your family or circle of friends and colleagues to contribute. If you prefer, you can send a cheque to: "LPC for Martha Hall Findlay" to PO Box 69522, 5845 Yonge Street, Willowdale, Ontario M2M 4K3. If you can help, please do so right away, as time is of the essence.
Although the limit does not refresh each year, the generous tax credits do. The first $400 this year gets a 75% credit, so it only costs $100; the next $350 gets 50%, so a $750 contribution only costs $275; and the next $350 gets 33.3% -- a full $1,100 contribution only costs $508.33.
A lot has changed since 2006 -- I was elected twice and held four different shadow cabinet positions (Associate Finance; Transport, Infrastructure and Communities; Public Works and Government Services; and International Trade). I worked hard for my riding, for the Party and for the country. Unfortunately, the Liberal Party's fortunes have fallen dramatically, and significant change is needed. I hope to be a part of that.
The financial challenge comes from the tough new legislation on maximum donations to leadership campaigns. Unlike the limits for all other political donations which re-start every January 1, my campaign cannot accept a donation from anyone who already contributed the maximum, in the aggregate across all candidates, and regardless of when that contribution was made, all the way back to 2006. Many have tried, generously, to contribute again, but having reached their maximum, are unable to -- it is extremely frustrating sending cheques back.
Much is at stake for Canada's future, and I know I have much more to contribute. I ask for your help right now so that I can.
Thank you so much in advance,
Martha Hall Findlay
