Charest defends environmental actions after Wikileaks memo released

On his way to caucus Wednesday morning, Quebec Premier Jean Charest stopped to read old newspaper articles where he criticized the Harper government’s environmental policies.

His pit stop came on the heels of a memo obtained and released by Wikileaks, and printed in Montreal’s Le Devoir newspaper.

In the memo, US Ambassador David Jacobson questions whether Power Corporation influenced the premier’s position on the Harper government’s environmental record.

The Montreal-based conglomerate has interests in the Alberta oil sands.

Jacobson writes, “Whether Charest was influenced by Power Corporation to tone down his criticism of the federal government is unclear, but the corporation’s provincial and federal influence is undeniable.”

The ambassador also notes the premier allegedly gave up opportunities to blast Harper’s policies at the 2009 conference on climate change in Copenhagen.

A few months after the conference, the premier and the prime minister stood side-by-side for an environmental announcement in Riviere-du-Loup, Que.

But even with the prime minister next to him, Charest didn’t back down from Quebec’s position on reducing greenhouse gases.

Defending himself on Wednesday, Charest reminded of the comments he made in 2010 in Riviere-du-Loup:

“I went to Copenhagen to speak for a nation, a peoples who believe very strongly in this issue and there isn’t a commitment that I made there that I would take back today,” he said.

“I put the prime minister I his place,” he said, referring to a journalist’s headline praising Charest’s actions.

Responding to news of the leak and the ambassador’s conclusions, Pauline Marois, leader of the Parti Quebecois, said, “We have to be worried…but I hope that’s not the case.”

Quebec finance minister Raymond Bachand said that’s not the case – and that Power Corp doesn’t influence the premier.

“Not more than any other corporation or trade union…we govern for all citizens,” Bachand said.

Later on Wednesday, the premier tried to once again reassure Quebecers.

“I solely govern in the interest of Quebecers,” Charest said, reaffirming there is no need for concern.