The corruption inquiry is laying the groundwork for Wednesday’s questioning of a woman who was deputy premier and a powerful cabinet minister.

On Tuesday a former chief of staff for Quebec cabinet ministers Marc-Yvan Coté and Nathalie Normandeau began testifying.

Bruno Lortie, who Coté considered to be an adoptive son, worked for Coté for eight years before being asked to become Normandeau's chief of staff.

He worked for Normandeau from 2003 until she left politics in 2011, during which time she was minister of regional development, municipal affairs, natural resources and deputy premier.

During this time Coté worked for the engineering firm Roche, and Coté has testified that he was hired specifically for his access to the Liberal cabinet.

But that relationship went both ways as Lortie confirmed on Tuesday.

When the Liberal Party increased its fundraising targets to $100,000 for cabinet ministers, Lortie said he was told by Violette Trepanier to contact Coté for help.

"Like a hole in the head"

During his testimony Lortie downplayed his role in fundraising and said he often tried to pass the buck, getting Trepanier to do most of the organizational work instead.

"I needed them like I needed a hole in the head," said Lortie.

He surprised many observers when he said that fundraisers were not a place to discuss politics or business projects, but instead simply a place to socialize.

"It’s not necessarily the best time," to discuss government contracts, said Lortie.

"The fundraisers, they're not made for that. They're made for fraternizing."

It's alleged that several small towns in the Gaspé received special treatment from Normandeau, because Lortie's friend Marc-Yvan Coté was lobbying on their behalf, a major conflict of interest he kept denying until his vague answers angered commissioner France Charbonneau.

“You're like a chef who suddenly forgets how to boil an egg. How did you last eight years in the position?” said Charbonneau.

“I must have done my work,” Lortie answered defiantly.

Couillard met with commission

Late Tuesday afternoon, Premier Philippe Couillard announced that he met with Charbonneau Commission investigators at their request.

He isn't revealing what was discussed. 

Other party leaders in Quebec are also expected to meet with commission officials.