No. The people there paid by cheque. There were people from the family of the candidate, Ms. Allaire, and Mr. Padulo's family, and people from other Conservative riding associations near Ahuntsic and the restaurant. There were a few journalists from Italian weeklies.
In any event, the cocktail party was held in the light of day. Rodger Brulotte had talked about it in one of his columns. It wasn't hidden. If you look up Rodger Brulotte's column, you can see the photograph of the Minister with Ms. Allaire and Mr. Padulo. That's clear.
In fact, it gave the MP for Bourassa a chance to tell certain members, in front of the Italian community, to be sure not to be seen there because it wasn't good for their image with the Liberal Party.