[LINK] "How Canada's 42nd federal election all adds up"

[rfmcdonald]

Alex Boutilier and Joanna Smith of the Toronto Star report on the cost of the upcoming October federal election, and its implications.

The true cost of an extra-long campaign goes beyond what the national political parties can spend on advertising and airplanes, because it also allows their candidates another $73.6 million nationwide.

A Star analysis of preliminary election expenses limits released by Elections Canada — newly calculated to reflect the 78-day campaign leading up to the Oct. 19 vote — shows that candidates on the ballot are able to spend up to 114 per cent more than they could have had Conservative Leader Stephen Harper kicked off the election later.

That would be in addition to the record-breaking $54.5 million that could be spent by political parties running candidates in all 338 federal ridings, up from the $25 million allowed in a 37-day campaign.

Much has been said about how much of an effect higher spending limits could have on the national campaigns, with many observers giving the advantage to the Conservatives. But it could also affect the ability of local candidates to compete in communities against better-financed opponents.