A bill has been introduced in the Ontario legislature that would close a loophole in the Election Act – making it an offence to offer a bribe – but not necessarily to receive one.

The N-D-P’s Gilles Bisson’s private member’s bill proposes to change the wording of the bribery section of the act – to make it illegal for a candidate to seek or accept a bribe.

The introduction of the bill comes days after a Crown attorney – prosecuting two Ontario Liberals under the Election Act – alleged outside court that Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault “sought certain benefits” to become the Liberals’ candidate in a byelection.

Thibeault has not been charged and has denied that he asked for anything that would be seen as a bribe – in exchange for becoming the Liberal byelection candidate in Sudbury.