Premier Jean Charest is in St. Hyacinthe for a general council meeting this weekend, where he hopes to draw up some support from party faithful after a tumultuous week.
Charest and his Liberal party were set to discuss education at the weekend convention, but the premier has been forced to address allegations of influence peddling made against him by former justice minister Marc Bellemare.
In his opening speech Friday night, Charest admitted it had been a difficult week, but he quickly moved on to discuss the ecomony and the budget tabled two weeks ago.
His praised his party for having the courage to make the "right decisions" for the province's fiscal future, despite a widespread outcry over tax increases and rate hikes.
Union groups are protesting outside the weekend meeting to show their dissatisfaction with the premier, his government and the budget.
Lawsuit, public inquiry
Charest filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Bellemare over allegations that the former justice minister was pressured by political donors to appoint two judges against his will.
Charest has appointed former Supreme Court judge Michel Bastarache to lead an inquiry into the allegations.
