OTTAWA — Conservative ads attacking Michael Ignatieff for the years he lived outside Canada have turned out to be a windfall for the Liberal Party, says the party’s national director.

“Our single best e-mail solicitation ever came as a result of reaction to the attack ads,” said Rocco Rossi. “It was significantly better than any appeal that we had done before.”

However, the New Democrats say they are the ones counting the cash following Ignatieff’s threat last week to plunge Canada into an election.

“If we have anybody to thank over the last couple of weeks for an injection into ... New Democratic coffers, the one principal person we should be thanking is Michael Ignatieff,” said national director Brad Lavigne, adding the party raked in tens of thousands of dollars in recent days.

While the immediate threat of an election is gone, parties are busy building their war chests and increasing membership in preparation for a vote that could come as early as the fall.

Instead of lounging by the lake, leaders are planning cross-country tours to meet voters — particularly in winnable ridings.

Ignatieff’s tour also plays a role in an innovative scheme to increase the party’s membership. Anyone who joins the Liberal Party before July 1 will be eligible to win a visit to their riding and a private meeting with Ignatieff. There’s a similar prize for the person who recruits the most new members.

So far, the contest has helped increase membership by 30,000, taking it to 80,000 from 50,000.

Conservative spokesman Ryan Sparrow said the party doesn’t use meetings with Harper to raise money.

As for the attack ads, Sparrow says they worked.

“The ads may have enraged the power-hungry Liberal base but they halted Mr. Ignatieff’s post-convention momentum. Canadians now see a Liberal leader who stayed away for 34 years and spent his time abroad slamming Canada, its flag and its people.”