MONTREAL – Former Quebec justice minister Marc Bellemare says Premier Jean Charest is blocking him from seeing in advance a copy of the Bastarache commission report on judicial nominations in the province.
In a statement issued by Bellemare’s lawyer, Renald Beaudry, the former Liberal minister says he would like to see the report before it is released on Wednesday to prepare his comments in the same way the government will be able to.
Bellemare says Charest’s refusal to share the information "shows once again how unimportant the premier views a fundamental principle of our justice system – that of fairness," the statement says. It adds: "In keeping the report to himself exclusively and retaining the power to make it public at his convenience, Mr. Charest is confirming that this commission, which cost taxpayers $6 million, was nothing more than a vast exercise in public relations."
There was no immediate comment from the premier’s office, but last week officials said they intend to make the document, said to be 300 pages, public very soon after receiving it.
Charest’s refusal comes despite an appeal by Michel Bastarache, the former Supreme Court justice who led the commission last fall.
In a letter released by the Bellemare camp along with the statement, Bastarache says he suggested the government give Bellemare a copy.
The report is expected Wednesday, which would coincide with the weekly meeting of the provincial cabinet.
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