PQ government will not release legal advice on Charter of Quebec Values

QUEBEC CITY – When Democratic Institutions Minister Bernard Drainville presented his Charter of Quebec Values to Quebecers last September, a renowned constitutional scholar publicly defended its merits. The PQ government allowed Henri Brun to go public but presumably stopped others from doing the same.

“The Justice Minister cannot play with the truth and decide I’m going to leak this legal advice and not this one,” said Liberal Justice Critic Gilles Ouimet. “Let’s play a fair game, show the documents to the population and let the people decide in the end.”

The issue is taking hold of the National Assembly just as the debate on the Charter is heating up. Demonstrators in favour and against the proposed ban on religious symbols have been taking to the streets, many arguing the PQ is trying to draw support among francophone voters at the expense of religious and ethnic minorities.

“If it can help the discussion, the work, please show us the bill, show us the legal advice,” said Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) MNA Nathalie Roy.

The Justice Minister argued that advice is confidential.

“It’s a democracy rule,” said Bertrand St-Arnaud. “Never does a justice minister reveal the legal advice he receives.”

It’s a political rule also. Legal advice made public can become ammunition to those wanting to sue. The Quebec Liberals maintain the charter is an attack on individual freedoms. They believe a legal challenge at the highest level is imminent.

“The legal aspect of that debate is important because we’re at the root of our rights and freedoms,” concluded Ouimet.

The PQ may be trying to keep control over an explosive issue. Last week, Drainville said 68 per cent of the comments he drew from his website were favourable to the charter, yet he refused to make those comments public. He said Quebecers love the charter so much, he may have to toughen it.