The group released a comparison of the 1997 donations by the banks to the federal Liberal Party with previous years' donations showing that the 1997 donations were higher than any past year. In amending the Act, the Liberal government did not enact any of the bank accountability or consumer-protection amendments proposed by many citizen groups from across Canads. Democracy Watch called on the Liberal Party to disclose 1998 donations by the banks before the decision on the proposed bank mergers is made by the government.
Political donations are usually higher during election years.
The election campaign was shorter in 1997 than in 1993 so, if anything, party expenses should have been lower.