Most of those campaigning for the Liberals in this election aren't receiving a dime. But it looks like two Ontario software companies are drawing some pretty pennies from the party's coffers. Those managing Grit campaigns will be familiar with the Liberal's national riding services package. The package, which costs $1,500 and is valued at $2,100, includes two pieces of software - ManageElect, and u-phone - to assist those campaigns in identifying voters. ManageElect, which is used by Liberal parties across the country, was developed by David Sawh's firm The AIT Corp. More interesting, though, is the Ottawa company behind u-phone - Campaign Gear Inc.

According to a search of that province's corporate registry, the firm is registered to Jon Lomow. Mr. Lomow made headlines in The Toronto Sun back in December when columnist Sheila Copps obtained an email the communications advisor sent to long-time friend Brian Guest, Prime Minister Paul Martin's deputy principal secretary. The email included advice on how Ottawa Centre candidate Richard Mahoney might defeat then incumbent New Democrat Ed Broadbent.