Anti-corruption crusader Jacques Duchesneau says Liberal ministers participated in illegal fundraising activities and that the shocking allegations will come out when the public inquiry resumes in mid-September.
In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Mr. Duchesneau, who recently became a candidate for the Coalition Avenir Quebec party, said he can’t reveal the names of those involved in the alleged illegal schemes for fear of derailing the Charbonneau Commission into corruption in the construction industry. He also fears being sued, which he said would likely force him to resign as a candidate and cause irreparable damage to CAQ Leader François Legault.
“There are people who will appear before the commission and testify about the illegal financing of political parties. They have evidence showing that in one instance a Liberal minister participated in an illegal scheme. All of this is in a report I gave to the commission. One of the next witnesses to appear before the commission will confirm it,” Mr. Duchesneau said.
He also said that the Parti Québécois was involved in illegal schemes as well, using the same strategies and techniques as the Liberals. “Witnesses will testify to this,” he said.
“This is serious. That is why I said that 70-per cent of funds raised by parties was dirty money. I didn’t make this up. This is what witnesses told me and who will repeat it to the commission when they testify,” he said.
Mr. Duchesneau headed the anti-collusion unit at the Quebec Ministry of Transportation. His report tabled last September lifted the veil on collusion and price-fixing on the awarding of government construction contracts and the ties to illegal party fundraising schemes. His work at the anti-collusion unit helped save the government $347-million by helping unravel price-fixing schemes, he said.
“My enemies are trying to derail our campaign and undermine my credibility. Our work helped save $347-million. I now have $347-million worth of enemies,” he said.
He said he would have revealed names before the Charbonneau Commission last June had the Liberal government lawyer asked him about the illegal schemes and who was involved.
“I can’t reveal now what will be said because it could derail the Commission. Had they asked me the questions when I testified I would have been able to give all the names while being given immunity from prosecution. If I say what I know outside the commission hearings I’m going to be sued from all sides,” he said. “All of the facts would have come out had I been cross-examined by the government lawyer. I was never cross-examined.”
Mr. Duchesneau said there are 13 witnesses who are ready to reveal how the awarding of government contracts were fixed. Two witnesses have already given in-camera videotape testimony to the commission, and three others are prepared to do the same. The others, he said, are afraid and hesitant to appear. But he said he has been able to convince them to testify.
PQ Leader Pauline Marois reiterated that the impact of Mr. Duchesneau’s comments could serve to derail the Charbonneau commission. "If he was so certain about what he knows, Mr. Duchesneau should have revealed it when he testified before the Commission,” Ms. Marois said during a campaign stop in her home riding of Charlevoix-Côre-de-Beaupré.
“I’m stunned to hear him say these things…I have confidence in the Charbonneau commission. And it is before the Charbonneau commission that he should testify and not outside the rigorous framework that has been established,” Ms. Marois said.
Mr. Duchesneau has been the most controversial figure of the election since entering the campaign last Sunday. This week the lead counsel of the inquiry, Sylvain Lussier, responded to comments made by Mr. Duchesneau when he was asked the right questions during his testimony. Mr. Lussier told the Globe that the testimony had been prepared extensively beforehand. He said that the information given to the commission by Mr. Duchesneau was vague and stil needed to be reviewed.
Mr. Duchesneau rejects Mr. Lussier’s evaluation. He contends the lead counsel posed a political act by making his comments in the middle of an election campaign.
Liberal Leader Jean Charest has demanded that Mr. Duchesneau name names and publicly state the facts to back up his allegations.
Mr. Duchesneau said this is a tactic aimed at luring him into making liable comments that could eventually harm the Commission.
“I have confidence in the Commission and I want it to get to the bottom of the corruption in this province,” he said. “Mr. Charest is conducting a cover-up…He is looking for enemies. He has me and he has the students (who are poised to resume their strike when classes resume next week in post-secondary institutions). He wants a confrontation so that he can impose his law and order agenda. But law and order for who? It’s for him, not for Quebeckers.” Mr. Duchesneau said.
The former cop will continue his crusade during the campaign, accompanying Mr. Legault on Thursday as part of the campaign strategy to emphasize the corruption issue.
Mr. Duchesneau expects more attacks in the coming days but said his CAQ is prepared for the offensive. “I knew it would come. I told Mr. Legault to prepare for it. I’m taking all the hits right now. And I’m ready to take all that they throw at me between now and voting day on September 4,” he said.