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By Joan Bryden The Canadian Press

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau speaks in Edmonton on Aug. 20, 2014.

LONDON, Ont. Federal Liberals posted their best fundraising haul in a decade last year, filling their partys war chest just in time for this years election.

The final numbers for the fourth quarter of 2014 are to be filed with Elections Canada by the end of the month.

But party insiders say the Liberal take for the last three months of the year topped $5.6 million, bringing the total for the year close to $16 million.

Thats likely not enough to beat the Conservatives, who are on track to exceed their 2013 fundraising haul of $18.1 million.

But it will take a big bite out of the Tories fundraising advantage, which the ruling party has enjoyed since 2006, when corporate and union donations were prohibited and severe restrictions on individual donations were imposed.

The Liberals, who had been heavily reliant on donations from corporations and wealthy individuals, struggled for years to raise money under the new regime. But they have been steadily closing the fundraising gap since Justin Trudeau took the partys helm 21 months ago.

Trudeau and his 34 MPs are to get an update on the partys fundraising efforts today during the first of a two-day caucus retreat to plot strategy for next weeks resumption of Parliament and for the election, scheduled for October.

For the first time in years, the winter retreat is being held outside of Ottawa another sign that the party is flush with cash, for a change. The Liberals have chosen the location in the midst of Ontarios battered manufacturing heartland deliberately.

Read more from the original source:
Liberals begin two-day retreat in London, Ont.

The federal Liberals are expressing concern over the trial of Neil Bantleman of Burlington, Ont., joining a chorus scrutiinizing the proceedingsthat includes the NDP and embassies from other countries.

I urge the government of Canada to clearly communicate to Indonesian authorities that we expect the rights of Canadian citizen Neil Bantleman to be respected throughout his trial, said MarcGarneau, foreign affairs critic for the Liberal Party, in a statement.

Bantlemanfacesallegations he and teaching assistantFerdinantTjiongwere part of the alleged rape of three kindergarten-aged kids at the Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS), formerly the Jakarta International School.

Bantleman and Tjionghave been in police custody since July, and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.Their trial is expected to last three months, and Bantleman's family has beenurging Ottawa to publicly declare its support for the Ontario man.

The embassies of a number of other countries have already expressed concerns about the fact that Mr. Bantleman was detained for three months without any charges, Garneau said. I am also alarmed by credible reports of corruption and inhumane prison conditions in Indonesia.

We expect the Indonesian legal system to conform to international standards of justice and the rule of law and for the government of Canada to defend the rights of Mr. Bantleman to a fair process.

Five janitors from the school have been convicted in a related case.Six had been arrested, although one died while in custody. One of the mothers of the accusers has filed a $125-million US civil lawsuit.

Bantleman taught in Calgary for 10 years before working at the Jakarta school.

Paul Dewar, MP for Ottawa Centre, and Wayne Marston, MP forHamilton-Stoney Creek, issued a similar statement earlier this month.

We urge the government of Canada to press Indonesian authorities to ensure that Mr. Bantlemans rights are properly safeguarded throughout his trial, in strict accordance with international norms, they wrote.

See more here:
Neil Bantleman trial in Indonesia: Liberals call for Canadian pressure

Liberals draw line in the sand

The early signs point to a filibuster coming in the House of Assembly later this week, as the governing Tories and the opposition parties hit an impasse over proposals to redraw the provinces electoral map.

Lorraine Micheal

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The Tories want to cut 10 seats from the 48-seat legislature and redraw the district boundary lines before the next general election.

After Liberal Leader Dwight Ball said last week he supported the Tories aims, he emerged Monday morning to say his party wont support the legislation without some key changes, and early signs indicate the opposition parties will use House procedural rules to slow down passage of the bill.

Only NDP Leader Lorraine Michael is actually saying shes considering a filibuster.

Liberal House Leader Andrew Parsons would only say, Right now, all options are on the table.

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House reform headed towards filibuster

Liberals Claim You #39;re A Racist If You Like "American Sniper" Versus "Selma"
selma american sniper racism america liberals jesse ventura terrorism sniper white supremacy chris kyle clint eastwood.

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Liberals Claim You're A Racist If You Like "American Sniper" Versus "Selma" - Video

Liberal Leader Dwight Ball announced that he plans to fight changes to the provinces electoral boundaries commission which would slash 10 seats from the House of Assembly.

Rhonda Hayward/The Telegram

Dwight Ball

Ball said the Progressive Conservative proposal for House of Assembly reform is set up to fail.

The Liberals insist that Labrador must have a minimum of four seats in the House of Assembly, and the general election cannot be moved into 2016.

Ball is also against the idea of simply cutting 10 MHAs from the legislature; he said hed like to see the Electoral Boundaries Commission given a range between 38 and 42 MHAs.

The Liberals wont say if theyll filibuster the legislation, but theyre not ruling that out.

Right now, all options are on the table, Liberal House Leader Andrew Parsons said.

All of this shapes up for a drawn-out fight in the legislature this week, which could run into next week.

Organizations: Electoral Boundaries Commission, Liberal House

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Liberals object to PCs seat-slashing plan