Liberals float theory on Cadman compensation

[daleo]

OTTAWA — Opposition MPs trying to understand how the Conservatives planned to compensate Chuck Cadman for helping defeat the Paul Martin Liberals raised the possibility yesterday of an offer to help the maverick MP carry his parliamentary life insurance plan into private life.

Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale made the suggestion as MPs continued to spar over allegations from Mr. Cadman's widow, Dona, that Tory officials offered her husband a $1-million life insurance package if he used his crucial vote to defeat the Martin government.

"Under the existing parliamentary life insurance plan, if members cease to be MPs they can keep their insurance but the premiums go up and the benefits go down," Mr. Goodale said. "Did the Conservatives offer to make up that difference in exchange for Mr. Cadman's vote? Was that the offer?"

Retiring or defeated MPs can carry over their publicly funded life insurance into the private sector, but either their benefits would drop off or they would be forced to pay their own premiums. The departing MPs would not need a medical exam to execute such a transfer.
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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080229.wcadman01/BNStory/National/home
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This idea had occurred to me as well, earlier today. Then I opened up the G&M website, and there it was.

[glarius]

1. This is probably the smoking gun.

God I hope the Liberals can nail that smarmy bastard Harper and his bunch with this!