Chuck Cadman's widow, Dona Cadman, who is running as a Conservative in the B.C. riding of Surrey North, said Thursday her late husband told her members of the Conservative Party offered him a life insurance policy and "a few other things" just before a crucial 2005 vote.
The explosive allegations have been levelled in an upcoming book by Vancouver journalist Tom Zytaruk. CTV British Columbia's Janet Dirks spoke about the controversy with Cadman by phone on Thursday. Here is the transcript of the conversation.
Dona Cadman: Hello?
Janet Dirks: Yes, may I speak with Dona Cadman, please. It's CTV calling.
DC: Speaking
JD: Hi, Mrs. Cadman. It's Janet Dirks. I'm a reporter with CTV and I'm just following up the story that was in the Globe and Mail today about your late husband and the offer that was made to him before that critical vote in 2005. I wonder if I can ask you a couple of questions.
DC: Sure.
JD: Can I ask you - because it's going to be in this book that's going to be coming up in March and we're going to speak to the author later. Can I ask you what your husband told you about that visit before that critical vote.
DC: Oh, just that that (two?) gentlemen had visited him and offered him a million-dollar life insurance policy and a few other things.
JD: A few other things such as?
DC: One was being welcomed back into the Conservative Party
JD: Were you surprised by that story?
DC: No, not really. It was something .. they were ... I think any party would have done.
JD: And what did he say to them when they made him this offer.
DC: Oh, he was angry.
JD: And he told you about it that night or?
DC: Uh huh. When he came home.
JD: Did he ever show you any documents or were there any papers shown to him
DC: No. There were papers shown to him, but they were taken with them.
JD: I guess .. It's just such an interesting story in that your husband had cancer and they were offering him allegedly a million-dollar life insurance policy. How could that even work?
DC: Yeah, I don't know.
JD: Can I also ask you, you're running for the Tories now. Does this put you in an awkward situation in terms of the party and this allegation.
DC: A little. Yes.
JD: Have you spoken with the prime minister about it?
DC: I talked to his office today.
JD: And what was said, if you don't mind me asking.
DC: Just that they were going to bring out a press release.
JD: I'm trying to understand. Do you denounce what was offered to your husband? Or you said earlier that you understood it in a way?
DC: Yeah, I do.
JD: How angry does it make you, or does it?
DC: Not as much as it did before.
JD: Why is that?
DC: I think, just time passed.
JD: Would you consider it a bribe, madam?
DC: Um, yes, in a way.
JD: And you told the author this story?
DC: Uh huh.
JD: How much regret do you have in telling that story in light of the fact you're running for the Tories?
DC: None.
JD: OK.
JD: And would it be possible to speak to you on camera?
DC: No.
JD: And why is that?
DC: I just don't feel comfortable with it. I don't mind talking to you over the phone, but not on camera.
JD: OK.
DC: OK?
JD: Thank you very much.
DC: OK.
JD: Bye bye.
DC: Bye bye.
