The federal Liberal party doesn't appear to be suffering from the global economic crisis.

Newly released fundraising figures show the Grits raked it in this past spring.

The party raised almost $3.9-million dollars in the the second quarter of 2009. That is more than four times the amount it brought in during the same period a year ago.

The Liberals aren't being shy about what's making the difference either: One party official calls it the "Ignatieff effect."

James Fitz-Morris

Last year, of course, Stéphane Dion was the Liberal leader and many Grits weren't exactly rallying to the cause.

Another factor this year is that the party has paid much more attention to the process of fundraising and to trying to enlarge their base of support.

This time last year the Liberals had about 9,000 or so contributors. This year there are closer to 19,000.

Elections Canada is expected to release numbers from the other parties either later today or tomorrow. We'll update when we get them.

— James Fitz-Morris