The upcoming biography of the late Chuck Cadman, the independent MP from B.C. who held the deciding vote on the 2005 Liberal government’s budget, contains a political bombshell in the form of accusations that Cadman was offered a $1-million life insurance policy by representatives of the Conservative Party to vote with them.

From The Globe and Mail:

The widow of former B.C. MP Chuck Cadman says two Conservative Party officials offered her husband a million-dollar life insurance policy in exchange for his vote to bring down the Liberal government in May of 2005.

The offer, which was summarily rejected by the dying man, is outlined in a biography of Mr. Cadman by Vancouver journalist Tom Zytaruk that is due to be released on March 14. A copy of the manuscript, including an introduction by former Liberal prime minister Paul Martin, has been obtained by The Globe and Mail.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is quoted in the book, Like a Rock: The Chuck Cadman Story, as confirming that a visit took place, and that officials were “legitimately” representing the Conservative Party. But he says any offer to Mr. Cadman was only to defray losses he might incur in an election.

Like a Rock: The Chuck Cadman Story is published by Harbour Publishing.