Money in Politics: Who Really Decides Our Future?
I have to tell you—this discovery rocked me.
In the 2023 Winnipeg South Centre by-election, the financial disparity between candidates was staggering. According to Elections Canada, Liberal candidate Ben Carr’s campaign spent $83,693.35, while Conservative candidate Damir Stipanovic spent $81,041.38. Compare that to our NDP candidate, Julia Riddell, who spent just $16,456.57.
Wait—are we saying both the Liberals and Conservatives outspent us by 600%? Yes. Yes, we are.
The ability to massively outspend an opponent is a huge advantage, especially in an election where visibility and outreach can make or break a campaign. But what does this really mean for our democracy?
Big Money Drowns Out Real Voices
This isn’t just about the NDP being at a strategic disadvantage—it’s about who gets to decide policy in Canada. The wealthiest donors in our riding, and across the country, are shaping our elections in ways that silence everyday people.
We know that a small fraction of donors contribute the majority of political donations. Research from Democracy Watch shows that donors who contribute $1,000 or more—just 3.25% of all donors—account for 23% of all money raised. That’s an outsized influence from a tiny, wealthy minority.
These aren’t just numbers. When a handful of people fund campaigns, they expect influence in return. They’re not donating out of goodwill—they’re protecting their interests. And that’s why we end up with a government that talks about affordability but won’t touch corporate greed. That’s why grocery prices skyrocket while CEOs rake in record profits. That’s why climate action stalls while oil and gas companies make record-breaking revenue.
This isn’t democracy. This is a system where money, not people, calls the shots.
As we say in the music Business. If you have to pay to be popular you aren’t popular at all.
The Real Battle: Engagement, Not Ben Carr
Here’s something even more shocking: The total electorate in Winnipeg South Centre is 70,484 people—about 75% of the population living in the riding. Yet, in the last election, only 25,858 people voted.
Ben Carr won with 14,278 votes, meaning that only 21% of eligible voters actually supported him. If we consider the entire population of our riding, only 14% of the people who live here voted for Ben Carr.
This means our biggest challenge isn’t Ben Carr—it’s engagement.
Conservatives received 6,100 votes, which, frankly, is far too many for the cruelest party in Canada, but still nowhere near a majority. This is a riding where progressive voices vastly outnumber the right-wing vote—the issue is mobilizing them.
But Here’s the Truth: We Can Win Without Big Money
Ben Carr didn’t win because of an overwhelming grassroots movement—he won because his campaign flooded mailboxes, plastered ads everywhere, and repeated his name until people assumed their neighbors must support him.
We don’t need to outspend them. We just need to outwork them.
Thousands of people in this riding didn’t vote—especially young and lower-income residents. Carr’s 55.1% support shrinks to just 20.3% when compared to all eligible voters. That means just one in five people decided this election. If we engage those who have the most to gain from an NDP government, we can change the game.
This Campaign is About People, Not cash
Our opponents rely on name recognition and deep pockets. We rely on real people. That means you.
Every donation, no matter how small, helps us fight back against the flood of Liberal and Conservative money. Canvassing, organizing neighborhood meetings, and putting up lawn signs can do more than any ad ever could. Talking about money in politics with your friends helps break the cycle.
The media will amplify the voices of the well-funded. We need to amplify ourselves.
If you believe in a kinder, fairer, and more democratic future, let’s build it—together.
Donate. Volunteer. Share this message. Because when a movement is powered by people, not dollars, it’s unstoppable.
Sources:
Democracy Watch: Key Facts About Big Money in Canadian Politics
Global News: Winnipeg is a Hot Spot for Canadian Political Donations
