MONTREAL - In his final speech before a long trip to Europe, Premier Charest told a gathering of municipal politicians that there would be no public hearings on corruption in the construction industry.
The recent Duchesneau report suggested that kickbacks and bribes are rampant in municipal politics and many involved are hoping for a probe so their reputations can be cleared.
"We were expecting the prime minister to make a definite move, so we can move on to a new context where the public will hear what needs to be heard," said Joel Arsenault, Mayor of Magdalen Islands.
Montreal's former police Chief Jacques Duchesneau has urged a two-part enquiry but Charest didn't appear to be feeling pressured to get that into gear.
"All avenues will be explored," he said, while insisting that police will continue investigating and looking for criminal behaviour.
Municipal Affairs Minister Laurent Lessard said that rules have been tightened in an effort to make eliminate graft.
One who isn't a fan of the government's efforts is Bernard Genereux who heads the Quebec Federation of Municipalities. "Charest has to live with his position, we want a public inquiry," he said.
A Charest spokesman said that the Premier will take his time to study Duchesneau's suggestions.
