Sam Hamad is on vacation in Florida as allegations are investigated by Quebec’s ethics commissioner.
On Saturday, Premier Philippe Couillard announced Hamad, the head of Quebec’s treasury board, would be stepping down from his position amid allegations against him.
On Thursday, a report by Radio-Canada’s investigative journalism program ‘Enquete’ said Hamad received fund-raising help from Marc-Yvan Côté, a former Liberal cabinet minister, and that in turn, Hamad gave sensitive cabinet information to an environmental technology company where Côté was working.
Two weeks ago, Côté was charged with fraud, conspiracy and breach of trust.
A spokesperson for the Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec said Monday they will vigorously examine the allegations against Hamad.
PQ MNA Jean-Francois Lisee said Monday that Hamad leaving on vacation during the investigation against him was careless and demonstrated a lack of concern for ethics.
Charest defends ministers
Former premier Jean Charest said he is defending Hamad, adding that he believes the president of the Treasury Board - who was minister of transport and labour minister under his leadership - put forth a solid gesture by deciding to take the allegations to the ethics commissioner.
Charest also expressed his confidence in former deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau, who was arrested last month in a UPAC sweep on a number of corruption-related charges.
Charest cancelled a conference at McGill University Monday after a group of protesters denounced him, the Plan Nord and pipeline projects.
With files from The Canadian Press
