Kevin O'Leary suing Elections Canada over fundraising limits
John Paul Tasker, Vassy Kapelos · CBC News ·
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/powerandpolitics/pnp-tasker-oleary-suing-elections-canada-1.4905684
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Failed Conservative leadership contender and reality TV star Kevin O'Leary is suing the federal elections commissioner and Elections Canada over fundraising rules that limit how much of his own money he can spend to clear up outstanding campaign debts — rules O'Leary says infringe upon his Charter rights.
O'Leary racked up nearly $2 million in debt in his 2017 campaign to replace former prime minister Stephen Harper as leader of the federal Tories.
Despite strong initial poll numbers, O'Leary dropped out of the race in response to low support from Quebecers. He subsequently backed another failed candidate, Maxime Bernier, who has since left the Conservatives to form a party of his own.
According to a statement of claim obtained by CBC News, O'Leary still owes in excess of $400,000 to several campaign suppliers — most of them small- or medium-sized enterprises that O'Leary said have experienced financial hardship as a result of the unpaid bills. He said he wants to pay them back personally, but Elections Canada is saying no.
O'Leary, like all contenders for leadership of a federal party, is restricted in the amount of money he can personally float his campaign.
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