Sometimes laughing and sometimes shedding tears, former cabinet minister Sam Hamad announced his retirement from politics on Thursday.
"“I’ve been thinking about this for several months," he said. "It’s now 14 years I’ve been in politics. After that, when I see what I did, I did everything I can do. I want people to remember when I went into politics, there was one objective. I wanted to give back what Quebec society gave me.”
"I miss family supper, I miss my grandchildren. Now, I have to give to my family."
The decision comes roughly a year after Hamad resigned from Premier Philippe Couillard’s cabinet due to questions over his relationship with executives at Premier Tech, a company given interest-free loans by the government. He retained his seat representing the riding of Louis-Hebert.
Members of the opposition parties accused Hamad of receiving fundraising help from Premier Tech executive Marc-Yvan Cote.
Hamad drew further criticism after he left abruptly for Florida on the same day he announced his resignation as labour minister.
On Thursday, Hamad was defiant, saying he had never been found guilty or liable for anything.
"I think I fought for my honour and I won," he said. "Today, I'm very proud of what I have done in politics."
It's been a rough week for the Liberals, as reports emerged that former premier Jean Charest and longtime Liberal fundraiser Marc Bibeau had both been targeted by UPAC investigations. The same day of Hamad's resignation, Montreal police union chief Yvan Francoeur gave a radio interview in which he alleged a case was built against two Liberal officials – including a sitting MNA – were under police investigation in 2012 linked to public financing of a real estate firm with ties to the Mafia and illegal donations to the Liberal party.
“I think we have to hear Mr. Francoeur in a parliamentary commission and know exactly what he knows and what he could reveal more than what he did this morning,” said CAQ MNA Eric Caire.
“A lot of people do think that some major high-profile Liberals are never going to be arrested when there is a Liberal government in power,” added PQ House Leader Pascal Berube.
Francoeur said the investigation has stalled even though he said police have evidence from surveillance and wire taps – everything needed to lay charges in the file.
Hamad said his resignation had nothing to do with those events.
“Timing is always tough in politics," he said. "You can never choose a good time. The best way to do it is take a decision and make it. The decision, when it’s taken, should be announced.”
Meanwhile, Montreal police chief Philippe Pichet said he is paying close attention to the latest revelations.
“I'll wait until I see what the truth is in all that, but if it would happen under my jurisdiction you can be sure I would take actions to make sure everything is done properly,” he said.
With a report from CTV Montreal's Maya Johnson
