Premier Jean Charest is downplaying the resignation of his chief speechwriter.
Patrice Servant, who has worked with the premier for a decade, quit on Monday saying he could no longer support the provincial government's refusal to hold a public inquiry into corruption in the construction industry.
Seemingly irritated Charest, who is in Paris to mark the 50th anniversary of Quebec's General Delegation in France and to drum up support for the Northern Development plan, made short work of Servant's announcement.
"Mr. Servant had a contract with us and he had already told us he wanted a break," said Charest. "In government, there is nobody who is 100 percent in agreement with every decision."
Meanwhile the premier said he had nothing to do with Monday's announcement by Robert Lafreniere, the head of the provincial permanent anti-corruption unit (UPAC), that a public inquiry into the construction industry would undermine police investigations.
"I have not asked Mr. Lafreniere to say or not say anything on the matter," said Charest. "Mr. Lafreniere is doing his work, he's doing his job. Nobody should be surprised when he speaks out, because it's in his mandate to [deliver a public update] twice a year."
Lafreniere argued that a public inquiry alongside police investigations into corruption would make it difficult to deal with witnesses, who might change their testimony after dealing with both groups.
He also argued that it could also scare off potential informants.
Charest has long said that his preference is for a police investigation into corruption, although in recent weeks he has said he would consider holding an inquiry behind closed doors.
With files from The Canadian Press
