QUEBEC CITY- Internal tensions within the Quebec Liberal party were considerably abated at a party convention Saturday after Jean Charest expanded the powers of Quebec's upcoming corruption inquiry.
The premier completed a 48-hour about face Friday night, announcing the change in a speech to a Liberal party convention attended by 2,000 party members.
Headed by Madam Justice France Charbonneau of the Quebec Superior Court, the inquiry will delve into allegations of collusion and corrupt practices in the construction industry and the awarding of public contracts in Quebec.
"If, during the progress of her work, with the accumulation of evidence she will have gathered and with the intent of protecting it, Judge Charbonneau came to the conclusion that she would need constraining powers, she will be able to make a recommendation to the government and we will abide by her request," Charest said in his opening remarks to the party convention Friday.
Charest's initial ground rules for the corruption probe earlier this week prompted widespread condemnation in Quebec and been criticized from authorities, including the provincial bar association.
He indicated the probe would not have the power to force witnesses to testify.
The move generated grumbling from within his usually disciplined party. One member had announced plans to seek a leadership-review vote this weekend but when interviewed Saturday by CTV Montreal he no longer expressed dissatisfaction with Charest's stewardship. The Quebec Bar Association also expressed serious concerns with the strategy.
New solutions, new problems
Political analyst Jean Lapierre said that the new situation opens new set of problems. "The premier had to do it, not only because of the public reaction the public but from his own supporters and the Quebec Bar Association, that was the big blow," said Lapierre. "But it puts pressure on Charbonneau. It's not elegant. If Charest wants to give her powers, he'll have to get a new order in council. "
The Quebec Bar Association expressed its concern over the limited powers of the commission earlier Friday, and later in the evening Charest said the message was received.
Charest told his Liberals that if the inquiry judge demands the power to subpoena any witness, his government will grant it.
"We really listened on this issue, it's an important one for the future of Quebec," he said. "If over the course of her work as she accumulates elements of evidence that she's gathered, while at the same time protecting it, Judge Charbonneau comes to the conclusion that the power to subpoena becomes necessary she can make a recommendation to the government, which would grant it."
Transport Minister Pierre Moreau told reporters Saturday that the government's about-face decision to increase the powers of the Commission of Inquiry was made in an effort to please legal circles.
Being unable to compel witnesses to testify could have lead to problems, said Moreau on Saturday.
"A controversy in legal circles could have tarnished the commission and its work. Our intention is to get to the bottom of things," said Moreau.
Cabinet Minister Line Beauchamp explained the about-face as a "vote of confidence in Madame Charbonneau."
The premier had previously argued against a subpoena power on the grounds that it would undermine police criminal investigations.
The premier's critics called that a weak excuse for creating a powerless probe.
Quebec has been awash in allegations of widespread corruption tying the province's multibillion-dollar construction industry to crime groups like the Mafia, and to political parties.
Charest's U-turn appears to have pleased his troops. His announcement prompted a standing ovation from Liberal delegates.
Orford MNA Pierre Reid argued that Charest had in fact not reversed field, saying that the government had gambled that a subpoena power would be unnecessary.
"When you make the gamble, it does not mean you are 100 per cent certain," Reid said. "You gamble that you won't need it. But now we are saying that seeing as everyone says that we need it, instead of holding on to our gamble, we're opening the door."
Culture Minister Christine St-Pierre said Charest showed he can listen, particularly when it came to the Bar Association's concerns.
"I think he was listening to the population, listening to the comments, listening to what the Bar said," she said. "But at the same time, he listened to the police's concerns of protecting evidence, protecting witnesses and especially protecting victims."
Charest faces an election as early as next year and must convince Quebecers of his value.
Charest was expected to face some unrest at this weekend's convention. The premier's speechwriter recently quit over his dissatisfaction with the handling of the corruption issue and several other Liberal party members have quit in recent months.
Also, one delegate from Groulx riding planned on calling for a review of Charest's leadership, but Martin Drapeau says Friday night's announcement satisfied him.
"He could have just announced all this at the same time," he said, "and we wouldn't have had all this controversy."
