Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney received donations from several prominent New Democrats in her successful civic election campaign last fall.
Ottawa Centre MP Paul Dewar contributed $750. His wife, Julia Sneyd, contributed $500. Her campaign also received $300 from former federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent. Former NDP adviser Robin MachLachlin donated $450.
Other contributors included Sue Garvey, a housing and women’s advocate who co-founded Centre 507, who contributed $500, as did real estate developer Paul Bouzanis. Catherine Boucher, former executive director of the Centretown Community Housing Corp., gave $500.
Last fall, Somerset had more candidates running than any other ward in the city. A total of 11 candidates were in the race for a seat at city hall.
McKenney – who secured 3,997 votes cast in the Oct. 27 election – received more campaign donations than her competitors. In total, her campaign spent $19,904 to get elected.
She replaced longtime Coun. Diane Holmes, who didn’t seek re-election.
Advertising expenses, including election signs, accounted for more than $12,000 of McKenney’s campaign expenditures.
Based on a cost-per-vote analysis, her campaign spent the least for each vote. McKenney spent $5 for each vote received.
In comparison, Denis Schryburt’s campaign spent the most per vote. Schryburt — who placed eighth in the race with 223 votes – spent $29 for each vote received.
The second most expensive campaign behind McKenney’s was Martin Canning’s. His campaign spent $17,992, placing third in the election – only 50 votes behind Jeff Morrison – who spent $10,206 on the campaign.
The McKenney campaign had a much higher phone and Internet bill than competitors. The cost for that expense was $2,240 in total.
This month, councillors are expected to discuss a proposal to ban corporate and union donations at the municipal level.
McKenney recently indicated she is in favour of banning such donations, but could not be reached for comment.