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Campaign contribution data from the first three months of this election year suggest the already-powerful Conservative fundraising machine is out-muscling the opposition parties in an increasing number of ridings, particularly in Quebec.

The Tories ranked as the top fundraisers in 215 of the 338 ridings during the first quarter of 2015, a Citizen analysis found.

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The Liberals came out first in 71 ridings and the New Democrats in 39.

The Q1 data show a sharp increase for the Tories from 2014, when a similar pattern of aggregate quarterly contributions put them first past the post in fundraising totals in 185 ridings.

The Tories are extending their lead across ridings compared to 2014 by continuing to build financial support in Quebec, where the party currently holds only five seats.

The Q1 2015 data show the Conservatives bested all other parties in 34 Quebec ridings, up from the 21 ridings they led in 2014.