Premier Doug Ford’s governing Progressive Conservatives have enlisted high-powered lobbying firms to help sell tickets to the party’s swank $1,250-a-plate fundraising dinner next week, the Star has learned.Billed by PC Ontario Fund chair Tony Miele as “the biggest fundraiser in our party’s history,” Wednesday’s event at the Toronto Congress Centre on Dixon Rd. could bring in more than $2 million.But the tightened rules around political fundraising introduced by the Liberals in 2016 following a Star investigation — including a ban on corporate and union donations — have made it challenging to sell tickets.While companies could once purchase entire tables for such dinners and then distribute them to employees, associates or clients, each ticket must now be paid for by an individual, which has put pressure on those tasked with selling.In an email appeal to clients obtained by the Star, Chris Benedetti, a principal at Sussex Strategy Group, a prominent firm run by Conservative and Liberal lobbyists, said the company “has been asked to help with the event.”“The event is $12,500 for a table of 10 ($1,250/person). To reserve a table please let us know and we can assist you in assembling individual registrations to then be sent in as a package,” Benedetti, who did not return messages seeking comment, said in his missive.Sources say senior aides to Ford have been personally shaking the trees — after office hours — encouraging lobbying firms to be “team players” and sell tickets to the premier’s keynote speech.According to one lobbyist, political parties of all stripes have been helped with fundraisings. The use of lobbyists to help politicians raise money, when they in turn often seek help from politicians, could be perceived as troubling. According to the integrity commissioner, who regulates lobbyists at Queen’s Park, “lobbying occurs when an individual or ...
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