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OTTAWA — The federal Liberals are asking the elections commissioner to look into what they allege is possible improper co-ordination between two conservative pressure groups, including one in B.C.

The party says in a letter to commissioner Yves Cote that Canada Proud and British Columbia Proud sent nearly identical mass emails on July 15, asking for donations to Canada Proud to “save the country” from a second term for the Liberals.

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The catch is that Canada Proud is a registered third-party campaigner for the upcoming federal election, unlike British Columbia Proud.

“My concerns are twofold,” says a letter signed by Liberal national director Azam Ishmael. “First, I am concerned that B.C. Proud has incurred partisan activity expenses more than $500, triggering the immediate requirement for registration” as a third-party federal campaigner.

“Second, I am equally concerned that Canada Proud and B.C. Proud are sharing resources in such a way that may enable either or both of these third parties to circumvent the maximum spending limit applicable to third parties during the pre-election period.”