Just over two weeks since its launch, the pro-separation group Let Alberta Decide has pulled out to an early fundraising lead for advertising dollars in the province’s October referendum campaign.

The group, headed by lawyer Keith Wilson and Tanya Clemens, reported more than $207,000 in donations as of July 2, according to Elections Alberta data.

“I’ve been very pleased and somewhat surprised at the level of enthusiasm that we’ve received as manifested by the amount of donations. I didn’t expect this level of support,” Wilson said, adding that more than 1,000 Albertans have donated.

Individuals, unions or groups must register with Elections Alberta as third-party advertisers if they plan to spend more than $1,000 on advertising during the referendum campaign. Donations from individuals, corporations or unions are capped at a combined $5,000 a year.

Third-party advertisers are required to file weekly contribution reports to Elections Alberta each Thursday. So far, more than 20 campaigns have registered, though not all have brought in donations yet.

Advertising spending is capped at $607,000 per campaign, meaning Let Alberta Decide has received roughly a third of the maximum spend.

Wilson says the campaign will focus those funds, first, on digital campaigns and events, with plans to take out more traditional ad buys closer to the fall, as the referendum nears. 

If contributions continue at the current rate, Wilson said the campaign could reach the maximum within a couple of months. 

But he said it is a “tremendously lopsided battlefield,” given the United Conservative Party government, which is advocating for Alberta to remain in Canada, is not bound to the same advertising limit that third parties face.

“They’re all exempt from the funding and campaign rules that I’m subject to and those of us grassroots are subject to,” Wilson said. 

Cory Morgan’s group, Pathway to Independence, is currently listed as having received the second-most total contributions, with more than $82,000 reported so far. 

Group launches ‘no to the nine’ signs

Alberta’s Voice, run by Decide Campaigns’ president Stephen Carter, currently has the most contributions listed for a pro-Confederation campaign, raising $26,000 as of July 2. 

Carter said the number of donations has been “heartwarming,” and has allowed the campaign to put up 40 signs in Calgary. The group plans to erect more and hand out lawn signs as well. 

The signs urge Albertans to remain in Canada, and vote “no to the nine” — a reference to the original nine questions the Alberta government put on the October ballot, which focus on immigration and constitutional reform.

The question that will top the ballots will ask if Albertans want to remain a province of Canada, or if they support the government starting the legal process to hold a second, binding secession referendum.

“I knew that everybody would be attracted to the bright flame that was the separation question. But these other ones are where the real fire burns,” Carter said. 

He said he doesn’t expect his group will fundraise the maximum amount allowed, which is disappointing, because they could use “every nickel” to fight against questions on the referendum. 

Pro-separation groups bringing in more money so far could reflect passion among those supporters, compared to potential passiveness on his own side, he said.

“Our side is, ‘Well, someone else will do it. Someone else will pick up the slack and they’ll try and stop this from happening,’” Carter said.

“People need to really understand that we are that someone else. There is no other side that is going to step up and suddenly contest this referendum.” 

Following referendum day, currently slated for Oct. 19, campaigns will have six months to file an advertising report including a financial statement and expense reports. 

If advertising expenses exceed $350,000, Elections Alberta says an independent audit of the financial statement is also required. 

According to Elections Alberta, reportable expenses include advertising, promotional materials. administrative costs, salaries, polling and research, public relations and production costs.