Laval Mayor Gilles Vaillancourt's alleged attempt to make unlawful campaign donations to then-political candidates was the hot topic of debate in Quebec City Tuesday, with opposition parties calling for his resignation.
Former PQ MNA turned Bloc MP Serge Menard said that in 1993, Vaillancourt offered him a white envelope stuffed with cash as a contribution to his first electoral campaign.
Liberal MNA Vincent Auclair confirmed that he had a similar experience with the Laval mayor in 2002, but that he never looked inside the envelope.
Allegations dominate Question Period in National Assembly
The alleged attempt to make unlawful campaign donations to then-political candidates was the topic of debate in Quebec City.
Opposition leader Pauline Marois demanded that Jean Charest force Vaillancourt to step down while the matter is investigated by police.
"This is sufficiently serious that the premier and his government should ask the mayor of Laval to step aside while an investigation takes place. The timeline for an investigation should not be decided by the mayor of Laval," said Marois.
Charest retorted that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and that charges have not been laid against anyone.
"We have laws, and it is up to the people who investigate those laws to come to a conclusion before acting," said Charest.
Justice Minister Jean-Marc Fournier piped in, adding, "It's a serious matter. And I think the mayor has to think twice about the right way to do things."
On Monday night, Auclair said that the commander of 'Operation Hammer' had called him to discuss the allegations, and said that he would co-operate with the Surete du Quebec.
Meantime, in Ottawa, the Conservative Party is calling for Serge Menard, then a Parti Quebecois candidate, but now a Bloc Quebecoic MP to be fired for keeping silent on the bribery allegations for the past 17 years.
Laval residents believe allegations: poll
A Leger Marketing poll conducted Tuesday indicates that 60 per cent of residents believe the allegations made by Menard and Auclair, while just 20 per cent think Vaillancourt is telling the truth with his denials.
The poll also says that 57 per cent of Laval residents do not have confidence in Vaillancourt, while just 29 per cent believe he is capable of continuing to run the city.
Vaillancourt demands retractions
On Tuesday Vaillancourt vehemently denied ever offering cash to Menard, Auclair, or any other politicians or political candidates, and said that the only help he gives politicians is a pamphlet he wrote on how to successfully campaign door-to-door.
Vaillancourt has since sent a lawyer's letter to Menard and Auclair demanding they issue retractions.
A total of 509 people participated in the Leger Marketing poll. It has a 4 per cent margin of error, 19 times out of 20.
