The Couillard government is under fire over allegations a cabinet shuffle helped bury a minister raising alarms over alleged corruption.
According to a report in L’Actualité, former Transport Minister Robert Poeti had uncovered questionable practices in his ministry including creative accounting to cover up cost overruns, contracts awarded to former employees without going to tender, and internal auditors facing intimidation from their own superiors while investigating contracts.
According to the Actualité report, some in the ministry made complaints to anti-corruption police unit UPAC, which refused to investigate.
Poeti, a former Sureté du Quebec police officer, was named Transport Minister after the Liberals were elected in 2014. He was demoted in January, a move that surprised many.
On Tuesday, while the opposition alleged Poeti’s demotion was an attempt to cover-up his findings, Poeti said Couillard explained to him there was a need for more women and representatives from the regions in the cabinet.
“I believe him,” said Poeti. “I don’t doubt the way he explained why he wants a change the cabinet. I respect that. Am I happy? Not totally. But he’s the prime minister.”
Current Transport Minister Jacques Daoust also weighed in, saying he values transparency.
“I want to be very transparent. You all know that I'm not a very patient man, and if there were things that were wrong I will correct them,” he said.
Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux was also on the defensive.
“I will not comment on the article. I just want to remind everybody that UPAC has been created precisely to conduct those investigations in total independence from the government,” he said.
