November 24, 2009

Premier rejects Quebec police union’s call for construction inquiry

MONTREAL

Premier Jean Charest is sticking to his guns that a police investigation, not a public inquiry, is the best way to deal with a corruption scandal rocking Quebec, even after police officers themselves have demanded an inquiry.

The provincial police officers’ union added its voice Monday to the growing chorus requesting an inquiry into allegations of unseemly practices by construction companies, politicians, and the Italian Mafia.

What made this latest request unique was that it came from employees of the Surete du Quebec _ the same provincial police force Charest has tasked to investigate the scandal.

Charest replied Monday that he hadn't ruled out an inquiry, but said such a move wasn't on his immediate radar.

"We never closed the door. What we always defended is the prioritization of an investigation to get results," Charest said.

"It's the investigation that allows police to go find evidence and facts that will then allow us to fix the problem."

Charest made the comments after union boss Jean-Guy Dagenais came out in favour of an inquiry. Dagenais said police can arrest those suspected of a crime, but they can't change the way contracts are distributed.

Quebec has been rocked by allegations that construction companies have created a cartel to drive up the cost of public-works projects, intimidated companies that don't co-operate, shared their profits with the Mafia, and routinely funded political parties beyond the legal limits.

Charest says he wants to wait for police to finish their investigaton before making decisions about an inquiry.

But the police union said there's no need to wait. Dagenais said a public inquiry would probably facilitate a police investgation, not hinder it.

Quebec's opposition parties have long been demanding an inquiry, as have numerous opinion-makers, municipal politicians, and John Gomery, who headed the famous federal sponsorship inquiry.

Opposition politicians said Monday that the government can't keep stalling.

"I think (the police) are the most credible people who could speak in favour of a public inquiry," said ADQ House Leader Sylvie Roy.

"These are the people who see what's going on, and who are trying to catch these bandits."

The Parti Quebecois says Charest's strategy is clear: ride out the legislative session for another couple of weeks, and hope the issue dies over the holidays.

"I can't see what other reason he can invoke (to delay an inquiry)," PQ House Leader Stephane Bedard said in an interview.

"I understand that he sees this from a strictly political agenda (that) he's only got two more weeks to tough out."

-Canadian Press

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