Bernier claims to have raised over $90,000 since quitting the Conservatives

Maxime Bernier has claimed  that he has raised more than $90,000 for his new political venture and says the party he intends to lead will be in place by the time his political rivals return to Ottawa.

In a fundraising email to supporters, the former Conservative MP is known to have written  that he is working to complete the requisite Elections Canada forms and develop the party’s constitution and platform.

Bernier organizer Martin Masse said about 2,500 people donated to Bernier’s cause

Bernier writes in his message that the donations are “all the more generous” because his team can’t issue tax receipts for the donations. A spokesperson with Elections Canada said a party must be registered in order for it to be subject to political financing rules.

The rebel MP had announced  on Aug. 23 that he was leaving the Conservative party and starting his own political movement, calling his former leader and colleagues “intellectually and morally corrupt” as he slammed the door on his way out.

Bernier said in his email blast that he has spent the past week on the phone with supporters and organizers across the country, calling them “the backbone of the new party’s organization.”

He also claimed to have received hundreds of letters from supporters and others interested in becoming a candidate under the Bernier banner.

Bernier told supporters his goal is to have the new party up and running by Sept. 17 when the House of Commons returns from its summer break