The defections of nine Alberta opposition party MLAs have sparked a “remarkable” holiday fundraising surge for the Wildrose party, according to organizers.

The party’s VP of fundraising, Dave Yager, says grassroots anger over last month’s defection of most of the Wildrose caucus led by leader Danielle Smith to the governing PCs has boosted donations ahead of an anticipated spring election.

“The surge in financing has been specifically related to the events of December 17th," said Yager.

He would not specify the amount of money raised but says an end-of-year appeal for funds has provided an unexpected and “tremendous” boost to party coffers.

“On the fundraising side, rumours of our demise are greatly exaggerated."

He said donor response is coming from “all over the place,” grassroots members, as well as the corporate “guys downtown” or what the party considers high net-worth donors.

There has been speculation the defections, which reduced the party caucus to just five MLAs, would discourage donors from contributing to a party some critics dismiss as all but dead.

“The members and people of Alberta will decide when the party’s dead and the fundraising has been a pleasant surprise.”

Yager says the party raised little or no money last year during the Christmas break when its fundraising machine normally shuts down during the holidays.

marc.patrone@sunmedia.ca

On Twitter: @MarcPatrone