Liberals responsible for the election war chest turned down a desperate plea for nearly $3 million for new advertising in the last week of the campaign because internal polls showed Canadians had rejected Michael Ignatieff. (Dave Abel/QMI Agency Files)

OTTAWA - Liberals responsible for the election war chest turned down a desperate plea for nearly $3 million for new advertising in the last week of the campaign because internal polls showed Canadians had rejected Michael Ignatieff and the party wanted to save a few bucks, QMI Agency has learned.

A request for $2.9 million for advertising was shot down because Ignatieff was the centerpiece of the TV spots, but had become a lightning rod for voter discontent, sources said.

The Liberals were legally permitted to spend $21 million on the campaign, but it appears $18 million or less was spent.

In the 2008 election - under Stephane Dion - the party turned off the money tap in the final days when it became clear a loss was inevitable.

The Grits spent $14.5 million in 2008 - $5.5 million less than allowed.

Ignatieff led the Liberal party to its worse electoral defeat in its history, winning just 34 seats.

He quit May 3 to return to teaching.

Mark.Dunn@sunmedia.ca

Twitter:MarkDunnSun