The Quebec elections chief wants to hear from a former justice minister who claims to have embarrassing information about fundraising within Premier Jean Charest's Liberal party.
Marc Bellemare, who served in the Charest cabinet, has declared in media interviews that the governing party received generous donations from construction companies.
Corporate donations are illegal in Quebec, the construction industry has been inundated with allegations of corruption, and demands for a public inquiry are rampant.
But Charest has repeatedly refused requests for an inquiry.
He is sticking to that position in the face of renewed opposition attacks triggered by Bellemare's remarks.
Donations alleged
Bellemare has declared in separate interviews that construction companies made major donations to the Liberals, and that he had information that could embarrass the government.
He has refused to elaborate further.
The office of Quebec's director general of elections now says it will invite the former justice minister to share additional details.
Charest baffled
Charest expressed bafflement when asked Wednesday about Bellemare's claims. The premier said he'd never heard any complaints from Bellemare while he was in government, or afterward.
"He never breathed a word about it," Charest told the legislature.
In interviews, Bellemare indicated he would be willing to reveal what he knows at a public inquiry into Quebec's construction industry.
Opposition Leader Pauline Marois says the premier's refusal to call an inquiry stems from the fact that "he has too many links with the construction industry, which finances him."
Charest's government did announce a widespread police investigation into the construction sector.
It also introduced legislation to tighten the financing of political parties and the awarding of public contracts.
The Liberals say they won't seek out any explanation from Bellemare, but are encouraging him to co-operate with the elections chief.
