ST-HYACINTHE, Que. - Quebec Liberals rallied around their embattled leader Saturday, defending the party's judicial nomination process.
Ministers and party members claimed Jean Charest's direct involvement in the process didn't threaten its impartiality.
"It's not called exerting pressure, it's called weighing-in," said chief party whip Pierre Moreau. "It's normal."
Justice Minister Kathleen Weil admitted Friday she regularly discussed magistrate nominations with the premier.
Last week, Charest picked former Supreme Court justice Michel Bastarache to head an inquiry into the way judges are chosen in the province.
The crisis was sparked by former Quebec justice minister Marc Bellemare who claimed he was pushed by Liberal party fundraisers to make certain judicial appointments during his term.
Some 500 Liberals are gathered this weekend for a general council meeting in St-Hyacinthe, Que., to discuss education and the economy.
Charest will give a closing speech Sunday.
