Advertisers supporting Alberta’s continued membership in Canada raised more than $113,000 in the seven days ending Thursday, their largest weekly total to date, according to the latest Elections Alberta figures. It was the second-highest fundraising week recorded by either side, and four of the five advertisers that raised the most in the period were federalists. Thomas Lukaszuk’s Forever Canadian led all advertisers with $48,345 in contributions.

The figures mark the second consecutive week in which federalist advertisers raised more than their separatist counterparts. Separatist advertisers collected $37,362 over the period, including nearly $22,000 for Keith Wilson’s Let Alberta Decide, the leading separatist advertiser for the week. Despite the recent federalist fundraising, separatist groups remain ahead overall.

To date, separatist advertisers have reported $994,107.03 in contributions, compared with $506,482.97 for federalists. The difference has fallen for two consecutive weeks to about $488,000, its lowest level since mid-July. Elections Alberta has 28 registered advertisers: 16 separatist and nine federalist, while four have not yet reported contributions.

Forever Canadian registered as a third-party advertiser in June, but had reported no contributions until this week. Its financial disclosure statement, posted Friday, covers the period from March 31 to this week. The statement does not identify when individual contributions were received, and disclosures by other advertisers cover a similar time span.

Lukaszuk had previously said he did not need to report contributions because his campaign was focused on its own petition, which had collected more than 400,000 validated supporting signatures, and on promoting national unity. The petition was not on the ballot. He also pointed to Elections Alberta guidance saying general messages that do not specifically refer to a referendum question do not necessarily qualify as advertising.

On Monday, Lukaszuk said he was changing course and would specifically support Option 1 on Question 10 of the referendum, which calls for Alberta to remain within Canada. That decision makes Forever Canadian’s finances subject to disclosure laws. Lukaszuk cited the possibility of complacency and referred to the 2016 Brexit vote when explaining the shift in tactics.

Separatists have accused Forever Canadian of avoiding financial disclosure requirements while conducting what they describe as a de facto advertising campaign. Rebel News, a registered advertiser that operates as Alberta’s Choice in support of separatism, filed a complaint with Elections Alberta in the fall, asking the agency to investigate Forever Canadian’s compliance with election law.

On Tuesday, a judge dismissed Rebel News’ request to have the complaint expedited so it could be heard before the Oct. 19 vote. Under provincial legislation, Elections Alberta investigations are confidential. Complainants are told the outcome only after an investigation is complete, or if the agency decides not to pursue the complaint.

Based on reporting by Edmonton Journal.