Opposition parties in Quebec City are stepping up their demands for a full inquiry on events leading up to the highly controversial conclusions of the Charbonneau Commission into Corruption in the Construction Industry.
Last month the two co-commissioners, France Charbonneau and Renaud Lachance, issued dissenting opinions in their final report.
In particular Lachance questioned whether there was any specific proof that financing of political parties had been knowingly overtaken by corruption.
Lachance said he pointed to the lack of a specifically recognized role in the Liberal Party of Quebec for Marc Bibeau, even though multiple witnesses said Bibeau frequently identified himself as a party fundraiser, and Bibeau raised funds for the Liberal Party.
Leaked emails obtained by Radio Canada show that following the death of the third commissioner, Roderick Macdonald, in 2014, Charbonneau and Lachance became increasingly antagonistic toward each other.
At one point the two did not communicate with each other for four weeks, when they were supposed to be working together on justifying the findings of the inquiry.
Now both the Coalition Avenir Quebec and the Parti Quebecois want answers.
Nathalie Roy, critic for the CAQ, questioned the lack of consensus in the commission's conclusions.
"It was $45 million and the population thinks that 'Wait a minute, are they hiding something?' And that's why we want to hear them, and we invite them and we want it to be an invitation that all the parties will do together," said Roy.
"Because the population wants answers, we paid a lot of money, and we don't have it any more."
The party is calling for Charbonneau and Lachance to voluntarily testify in front of a parliamentary commission. Though by law, commissioners can't be forced to testify in front of any political body.
L'Actualite columnist Brian Myles agrees that Lachance has got some explaining to do.
“France Charbonneau did her homework, there are at least 28 testimonies and evidence that are quoted [in her report] and when you go to Lachance’s statement, it's three pages and there's nothing.”
Myles said he's worried that this division is hurting the commission's credibility.
“The more the controversy grows, the less likely the government will follow the recommendations,” he said.
Premier Philippe Couillard dismissed the opposition's concerns, pointing out the opposition praised the nomination of the two commissioners.
He says the opposition parties are questioning them now because they're not happy with the conclusions.
Charbonneau and Lachance have refused to comment publicly.
