The Quebec premier said it is not a conflict of interest for his justice minister, Simon Jolin-Barrette, to appoint one of his friends as a judge.

Premier François Legault was questioned on the issue Friday afternoon during his visit to the Saint-Élie farm in Sherbrooke, Que. on the eve of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) convention.

"This is not a conflict of interest," he said in a press scrum. "How can we talk about a conflict of interest from the moment the people are chosen by an independent committee?"

Earlier in the day, the daily Le Soleil revealed that Minister Jolin-Barrette had appointed his friend, Charles-Olivier Gosselin, to a position as a judge of the Court of Quebec on May 4.

The appointment is creating serious unease in the court, according to the daily, because the two men are close, with Jolin-Barrette having even celebrated the marriage of Charles-Olivier Gosselin.

In a statement, Jolin-Barrette's office said that the minister has developed friendships with many people as he has been in the justice system for 15 years.

Those who have ties with him should not be "disqualified," the statement said.

His office recalled that judges are chosen according to a "completely independent process and strictly regulated by law ... and the regulation on the selection process of judges."

"According to these regulations, it is not the Minister of Justice who evaluates and analyzes the candidates for the position of judge, but an independent selection committee."

The committee produces a report with up to three recommendations to the minister, who must then make a choice and submit it to the council of ministers, which approves the appointment.

The cabinet has assured that "all appointments are made on merit and competence."

Legault said he learned that Judge Gosselin was Simon Jolin-Barrette's friend in the newspaper. In any case, the premier did not have to be informed, he said.

"There are many appointments every week that are adopted by the cabinet, and the only question I ask is: 'Were the rules followed?' Legault said.

Do the rules allow a minister to appoint a friend? "Yes," he replied.

Nevertheless, the appointment raises ethical questions, said Parti Québécois (PQ) leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who said the minister should have disclosed his "conflict of interest" to cabinet.

"The minister has a moral obligation to present a recommendation to the cabinet that does not raise any doubts about the appointment," said Liberal MNA André Albert Morin.

"Such an important appointment should not raise any discomfort," he said.

Québec Solidaire MNA Guillaume Cliche-Rivard said he also believed that the minister has some explaining to do. "Minister Jolin-Barrette will have to answer questions to calm concerns," he said.  

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 12, 2023