QUEBEC CITY – Parti Québécois ministers say having Pierre Karl Péladeau sit in on their meetings is perfectly normal.
Péladeau is chairman of Quebecor Media and was recently named chairman of Hydro-Quebec.
Premier Pauline Marois said she’s counting on Péladeau to make Hydro more efficient and help electrify public transit.
Marois told reporters Péladeau participated in not one, but two private meetings.
She said chances are, he’ll join her again.
Québec Solidaire co-leader Françoise David sees a real problem with the head of Quebecor Media having access to confidential government information.
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“It’s unusual and the government has to say, why him, why not only the director of Hydro Quebec, and secondly Pierre Karl Péladeau is near the Parti Québécois, everyone knows that,” she said.
David believes Péladeau’s presence in the National Assembly is a sign he may be called upon to help the PQ in the next election.
“Will he be near the government? Will he support he government? We will see,” she said.
David is saying out loud what others are thinking but not daring to broach. The issue of Péladeau’s involvement in government is sensitive.
“As far as I’m concerned this guy is very honest and very professional,” said CAQ House Leader Gérard Deltell.
Péladeau is the only chairman of a government agency to have access to cabinet committee meetings.
“He has the expertise and the know-how to help us deliver on public transit,” said PQ House Leader Stéphane Bédard.
Still, that kind of proximity to government raises ethical questions, at a time when the public is demanding political parties keep big business at arms length.
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