On May 24, 2005, a by-election was held in the federal riding of Labrador, after the unfortunate passing of MP Lawrence O’Brien.
One interesting thing about that by-election is this little graphic found on the Elections Canada website:
It is particularly interesting in light of this excerpt from a recent CBC story describing the expenses incurred in the most recent federal election in Labrador by Conservative candidate and now Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Peter Penashue (emphasis added):
“In total, Penashue spent more than $115,000 on his successful election bid. Russell spent just over $37,000.”
Assuming Penashue’s expenditures within the prescribed limits, and assuming CBC’s reported figure is correct, that’s an increase in allowable expenditures of more than 53% in six years in a single riding.
To say the least, that seems odd.
