QUEBEC CITY – François Legault is the first to admit he would have gladly welcomed media tycoon Pierre Karl Péladeau to the CAQ, but on one condition.
“If he had chosen me, he would have had to sell his shares.”
The question of whether or not Péladeau will sell his Quebecor shares continued to dog the PQ on Day 7 of the campaign, giving opposition parties ammunition to blast Pauline Marois’ ethical record.
“He cannot do both; either you sell your shares or you don’t do politics,” argued Legault. “She (Marois) didn’t think about that when she discussed with Mr. Péladeau. It’s a lack of judgment and right now it’s a real test of leadership for Mrs. Marois.”
Legault and his wife are also raising the question of Claude Blanchet’s absence from the campaign. Blanchet is the premier’s husband. The couple was supposed to testify before a parliamentary committee regarding an alleged deal with the FTQ but dodged the bullet when Marois called the election.
“We will continue to ask for answers,” said Legault.
Different city, same battle. In Montreal, the Liberals argued Péladeau’s candidacy is proof the PQ will do just about anything to achieve sovereignty, even trample some fundamental principles.
“He (Péladeau) explained to us why he’s there in politics, he wants a country,” said Liberal candidate Robert Poëti. “In Quebec we already have a country and that country is called Canada.”
PQ spokesperson Jean-François Lisée said political opponents can talk all they want – they too have ethical problems to deal with.
“Of course Mr. Couillard wants to change the subject,” he told reporters. “And the problem we have if he comes back to power is his track record on integrity is very weak and I’m worried that we would come back to pass Liberal practices with him.”
The province’s ethics commissioner is now looking into the Péladeau case, while the PQ tries to recover its footing after a seesaw start to the campaign.
Comments