"As Many Liars": The Story of the 1995 Manitoba Vote-Splitting Scandal

Paul G. Thomas is the Duff Roblin Professor of Government at the
University of Manitoba, the author of Parliamentary Reform Through
Political Parties, and the co-author of Canadian Public Administration:
Problematical Perspectives.

This informative and entertaining book tells the story of a stupid and
sordid scheme by political operatives in the Manitoba Conservative
government of Premier Gary Filmon to rig the 1995 provincial election by
financing the campaigns of independent Aboriginal candidates so as to
dilute the vote of the main opposition party, the New Democrats, under
Gary Doer. The Conservatives won the election amid rumours of foul play.
Investigative journalism by a CBC reporter exposed the wrongdoing, and
eventually Premier Filmon was forced to appoint a one-person inquiry.

The title for the book comes from the observation by the former chief
justice of the province who led the inquiry that in all his years on the
bench he had “never encountered as many liars in one proceeding.” No
evidence of direct involvement in the scandal by Premier Filmon was
produced, but there was speculation that this was only because he had
arranged to be in a position of plausible denial. The principal
secretary to the premier and the senior official serving the expenditure
committee of cabinet were forced to resign, and the reputations of two
leading entrepreneurs were tarnished because they had contributed funds
to the vote-rigging scheme.

Author Doug Smith reviewed all the official sources, but was denied
interviews with the principal actors involved within the Conservative
Party. He acknowledges his past association with the New Democratic
Party. While his interpretation of events may not be entirely objective,
the analysis is compelling. It reminds us that free and fair elections
are not guaranteed.