MONTREAL - New legislation has cost Michel Lavoie his job, as a Quebec court has used Bill 10 to remove the scandal-plagued mayor of St. Remi from office.

A long investigation by the UPAC anti-corruption squad led prosecutors to slap Lavoie with charges of fraud, conspiracy and breach of trust.

Bill 10 makes it possible to suspend a municipal politician who has been accused of crimes.

Lavoie had fought to stay in his post but the ruling handed down Thursday by the Quebec Superior Court had proved unfavourable to his cause.

St. Remi is a south shore town of about 7,000 that sits about 30 km south of the Montreal.