WATCH: Jacques Duchesneau, the man who made a name for himself as an outspoken critic of corruption in Quebec speaks to Elysia Bryan-Baynes.
MONTREAL — The man known in Quebec as “Mr. Clean” is back.
Since retiring from politics in 2014, Jacques Duchesneau has kept a low key profile, but the outspoken critic of corruption is once again in the spotlight.
While speaking to a group of internal auditors Tuesday, Duchesneau told the crowd that corruption is still alive and well in Quebec.
“I think there’s a lot to do.”
“I think its easier to get away with doing bad things to people than it is to convince them they’ve been robbed, ” Duchesneau told reporters Tuesday.
The 66-year-old former Montreal police chief and politician spent years pushing for politicians to clean up the construction industry.
As head of the anti-collusion unit at Quebec’s transport ministry, Duchesneau produced a scathing report in 2011, that eventually led to calls for a public inquiry.
That inquiry, the Charbonneau Commission recently wrapped up in Montreal.
READ MORE: 14 highlights from Quebec’s corruption inquiry
Now that it’s over, Duchesneau said he thinks more needs to be done to get tax-payers’ money back.
“There’s no political will to go after the guys who stole our money. Some said there were legal problems, but that’s not true,” he said.
“Companies wanted to pay us back.”
Despite being a vocal advocate for change, Duchesneau ended up being named at the inquiry by former construction magnate Tony Accurso.
According to Accurso, Duchesneau was in debt after a failed bid to become mayor of Montreal in 1998.
READ MORE: Duchesneau furious after Accurso drops donation bombshell
He testified he was approached by a man named Richard, who was part of Duchesneau’s entourage, and who set up a meeting with him.
The former construction magnate accused of corruption, fraud and income tax evasion said he then handed over a cheque for $250,000, made out to the name of Richard’s company.
Accurso said that Duchesneau promised to help him and return the favour when he got back on his feet and found employment elsewhere.
Duchesneau has denied Accurso’s claims. On Tuesday, he told reporters he had expected to be a target and the accusation was merely “part of the job.”
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