Elections Canada has released the political fundraising numbers for the first quarter of 2012 and Jack Layton's estate was the single largest donor.
Layton's estate gave $50,000 to the NDP, nearly 42 times the $1,200 limit for individuals. The donation was allowed due to an exception in the rules for donations made in testamentary dispositions.
"It has to be in the will," said John Enright of Elections Canada.
The second largest donation also came from a final testament. Beatrice Hall's estate gave $20,000 to the Liberals for the leadership campaign of her daughter Martha Hall Findlay.
The largest donations this quarter are by no means the biggest ever given by an estate. Enright remembers one will leaving a six figure sum. "There was a very large contribution to the NDP... in the million dollar or in excess of a million dollar range from a woman out West and it is permitted because of this exclusion to the cap."
The Bloc Quebecois failed to benefit from any large donations during the first three months of the year. Their largest donation was $1,100, less than the maximum allowed under the law. In total, the party received only five donations of $500 or more.
To see how much money the parties raised, check out the slideshow below.