Gordon Campbell never released the list of donors who financed his take over of the BC Liberal party. Since then the Election Act was amended so as to require contestants for the leadership of a registered political party to file lists of donors as well as audited income and expense statements.

Documents on the Elections BC website show that for the 2000 NDP leadership race Ujjal Dosanjh's campaign spent $187,441 and raised $275,308. That's just for one candidate. The records also show that Corky Evan's campaign spent $66,444 while raising $59,745; Gordon Wilson's campaign spent $70,365 while raising $71,140.

The 7 candidates who are currently campaigning for leadership of the NDP must file their financial reports with Elections BC by February 20, 2004. It is unlikely that any of the campaigns will have spent anything close to even the lowest spender in the last leadership race.

There are other differences between the last contest and next November's, not the least of which is that last time the winner became Premier, this time the winner will be without a legislative seat. One of the issues that has surfaced throughout the campaign is the role of labour within the NDP. When it comes to supporting employment standards, the right to bargain and other issues that are important to labour, the NDP will always be the party of choice. It doesn't follow, however, that the party's constitution should continue to provide for representation by "affiliates" or that political financing should continue to accept corporate and union donations. The choice of leader won't be sufficient to resolve those issues; political financing reform requires legislation and changes to the NDP's decision making calls for a successful amendment to the party's constitution. Nevertheless, it is expected that unions will take a step towards change at the upcoming convention by simply not attending in as great a number as in the past. Some affiliates may not send any delegates, and others will keep their numbers down by paying dues for a hundred rather than for the thousands that could be eligible. The party has changed its rules so delegate entitlement is based on the previous year's average rather than on last minute enrollments. Regardless of where one stands on the issue of the role of the unions, lower participation in this convention should not be seen as a good thing. It is likely a consequence of some unions recognizing that their members want to see the party prove that it has learned from the past and is becoming a credible alternative to the Campbell government.

In 2000 it was possible for the leadership campaigns to advise the news media of their delegate count after the selection meetings in every constituency. This time it is likely that many, perhaps even most, delegates will go to the convention undecided. That means the "bear pit session" where candidates field questions and the formal speeches will be more important than ever before. Jensen, James and Krog are running well organized campaigns with the support of many of the party's best organizers. Orcherton probably has the support of some CUPE locals, and he is rumoured to have the support of many Young New Democrats who receive automatic delegate status. Keating's organization is weak, but he has received little criticism and he is recognized as the best speaker. No one can predict what will happen in what is proving to be a very tight race.

Whoever emerges as the leader of the NDP on November 23rd will need to appreciate very quickly that the convention is over and the tough work is just beginning. No doubt the new leader will be invited on talk shows throughout the province within minutes of being elected. The tone set there will heavily influence whether the party is taken seriously in the months before the May 17, 2005, vote.