Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 10/99) - Drawing for door prizes at one of Jim Antoine's campaign functions has resulted in an investigation by the chief electoral officer.

Duncan Canvin, official agent for opposing Nahendeh MLA candidate Paul Gammon, filed an official complaint on Friday, Dec. 3.

Brian Armstrong, co-ordinator of information for the NWT Elections office, confirmed Friday that a complaint regarding Antoine's campaign was received and was being "reviewed and looked into."

There were no further developments as of Tuesday, and Armstrong couldn't assuredly say how long the investigation may take.

Tom Wilson, official agent and campaign manager for Antoine, acknowledged that prizes were given away at a "Coffee with Jim" function at the Fort Simpson recreation centre on Nov. 30.

The most valuable prize, a return trip to Yellowknife, has since been taken back, Wilson said. Among the other dozen or so prizes given away through random draws, Wilson the said the most expensive probably would have been a "$10 basket." The prizes were supplied by campaign supporters, he added.

He said the gifts were not advertised and everything was done "in pure innocence."

"Anything that was done wasn't done with a criminal intent ... there was never any attempt to buy votes or anything like that," said Wilson. "If we boo-booed, we're trying to correct it. If the others want to make hay on the correction, let them go right ahead."

Section 212.(1) of the Elections Act states, "Every person who corruptly by himself or herself or through another person, during an election, directly or indirectly offers, procures or provides or promises to procure or provide money, valuable consideration, office, employment, food or drink to induce a person to vote or refrain from voting and every person who corruptly accepts or receives any such money, valuable consideration, office, employment, food or drink, is guilty of an offence."

The penalty for anyone guilty of a corrupt practice is being barred from holding office in the legislative assembly.

Armstrong said if the review of the complaint leads to prosecution, the matter would then proceed to territorial court. A successful prosecution, however, would require proof that there was a clear intention to persuade voters, he acknowledged. The prizes would also have to be deemed to be of "value."

On election night, Antoine defended the giving of gifts as a tradition in the community.

"If it's against the (election) laws, then it's against our tradition," he contended.

A written request to withdraw the complaint would cease the investigation, according to Armstrong. After Monday's election, which Antoine won by a large margin, Canvin said he's still deliberating over whether to allow the matter to proceed.

Canvin stated that after Antoine's campaign function, Gammon was approached by a constituent who inquired about what he "was offering in exchange for her vote."

A further complaint was lodged regarding the lack of an official agent's authorization for the circular that was distributed advertising "Coffee with Jim."