QUEBEC CITY - The opposition got exactly what it asked for this week in the National Assembly, but the Charest government is not getting any peace in Quebec City.
The provincial government announced Wednesday that the inquiry into corruption in the construction industry would be fall under the province's public inquiry act, meaning it would be overseen by three judges with the power to compel testimony.
Allegations about misspending and corruption have been brewing for years, which is why the opposition is furious about the inquiry finally coming now.
ADQ leader Gerard Deltell says the Liberal party has put partisanship ahead of the people of Quebec.
"If we did this years ago people would be in prison today and we wouldn't still be waiting for results," said Deltell.
The opposition party believes contractors underbid on certain jobs, then add on extra fees when it's time to be paid. The ADQ alleges that money is then funelled to political parties and the black market.
Transportation Minister Pierre Moreau says the government ensures that all extra fees are legitimate.
"We have a system within the Transport department that takes into account the analysis -- what is the evidence in the file that would justify those amounts to be paid to the contarctor," said Moreau.
Other opposition MPs say the Justice Minister has lost all moral authority because of the delays in doing what the public wanted.
ADQ MNA Sylvie Roy went so far as to say that fellow politicians were on the take.
"Construction firms finance politicians," Roy said.
In Question Period MNAs asked the Justice Minister if he believed in his ability to fulfill his duties
Twice he stood up and said, "Yes, I believe in it."
Over the next two years the public inquiry will sift through 15 years of allegations, potentially putting every political party in the hot seat.
