The Couillard Liberals insist the party held a special caucus meeting with only two weeks left of the session simply as a chance to chat casually and not due to any panic in the Liberal ranks.
The meeting – meant to be a secret from the media and not appearing on the premier’s official agenda – was held at the idyllic Manoir Montmorency in Montmorency Falls in Quebec City and opened the door to speculation there could be trouble in among the troops.
The meeting lasted about three hours, and Premier Philippe Couillard said it gave his party a much-needed opportunity to talk at length.
"It was very, very constructive. I feel very happy to have first the opportunity of having this conversation in itself is significant," said Couillard.
"We had a very open meeting, as you know, a few weeks ago and we had a very good discussion here. I think it's the maturity for a political party to conduct its business here."
MNAs said the meeting was to simply meet and have a friendly chat and a chance for bonding halfway through the Liberal mandate, but the timing has aroused suspicions as has the fact that no political staffers were invited to attend.
The meeting comes at the end of a difficult session for the Liberals – between Sam Hamad stepping down from cabinet over allegations of influence peddling, to the more recent scandal within the transport ministry of allegations of mismanagement and questionable contracts being granted to ex-employees.
There has also been plenty of controversy for the Liberals over various proposals ranging from the legislation surrounding Uber to backtracking on Bill 86 over school board elections and backtracking on Bill 59, the hate-speech bill.
MNAs argued that it is simply a change for members to express their views. They also stated that the meeting would serve to prepare for the next election, expected in 2018.
