PQ makes accusations after report on unit
A report detailing a climate QUEBEC of jealousy and infighting at Quebec’s anti-corruption unit is further proof the province needs to adopt a law making the organization a full-fledged police force, Quebec’s Public Security minister says.
But the Parti Québécois is refusing to play ball, saying it doesn’t understand why the Liberal regime wants to give more powers to the l’Unité permanente anticorruption (UPAC) when the place is so dysfunctional.
In fact, the PQ’s tough-talking public security point person, Stéphane Bergeron, unabashedly accused the government on Wednesday of not wanting to rock the boat. He said the Liberals prefer to keep the current UPAC commissioner, Robert Lafrenière, on the job to avoid irritating him to the point he could leak compromising information on the Liberal party.
It’s either that or Lafrenière is blackmailing the government, Bergeron suggested.
“Why are they trying at all costs to keep Robert Lafrenière in that job,” Bergeron asked reporters. “Is it because Robert Lafrenière has information on the Liberal party in hand and they are scared he will go public? I am asking myself the question.”
Bergeron launched the accusations following the release of another blistering report on the state of UPAC drafted by Karine Martel, a human-resources expert who specializes in workplace psychological harassment at the Sûreté du Québec.
The three-page document — a summary of a much larger report that contains names — was tabled Tuesday in the National Assembly by Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux.
Martel concludes, like others before her, that there are serious organizational problems at UPAC, formed in 2012 using a hodgepodge of police officers from various other forces.
She highlights the existence of an unhealthy level of jealousy, rivalry and competition between employees and a pecking order for promotions that is based on favouritism.
Commenting on the report, Coiteux said he is aware of UPAC’s growing pains but is convinced the solution is Bill 107, which he tabled last spring and would make UPAC a full-fledged police force.
“I am convinced Bill 107 will improve things internally,” Coiteux said. “We currently are dealing with (police) investigators who have less than a true feeling of belonging since they, in fact, belong to other organizations.
“That feeling of belonging is important on a police force.”
He noted Bill 107 also foresees the creation of a surveillance committee for UPAC, and the members of that committee will be selected based on a two-thirds vote of the National Assembly.
That committee would be able to address problems identified in the report, he added.
The PQ, however, has already dug in its heels over the bill and say they will oppose it unless Coiteux amends it so that the next UPAC commission is elected by a two-thirds majority vote of the legislature.
The Liberals oppose that plan, saying politicians should not be directly involved in the naming of police force commanders.
But meeting reporters a second time and informed of Bergeron’s outburst, Coiteux could barely contain his anger.
“I find what the Opposition is saying pretty appalling,” Coiteux said. “It’s completely normal to have debates about bills. People can agree or disagree, but now they (in the PQ) are tossing out completely gratuitous accusations to fuel their political machine.
“I find this completely deplorable, really very deplorable.”
He and other Liberals scoffed at the notion they had something to hide and are being blackmailed by Lafrenière.
“Come on,” Coiteux said. “What exactly do people saying these things have in mind? It’s deplorable.”
Bergeron’s outburst suggests the PQ will never sign on to supporting the bill. As much as possible, legislation of this nature affecting all the parties is adopted by consensus, but that possibility now seems remote.
But Bergeron’s views were not shared by all the opposition parties, starting with Coalition Avenir Québec Leader François Legault.
“Right now, I have no indication that Mr. Lafrenière is not working to make sure we reach the end of this investigation into Jean Charest and the Liberal party,” Legault told reporters. “I cannot say, like the PQ, that we have no confidence.”
PQ Leader Jean-François Lisée, however, said politicians are currently being refused key documents on the work of UPAC or are given heavily redacted versions.
“So the question (posed by Bergeron) is worth asking,” Lisée said, adding he no longer has enough confidence in Lafrenière and UPAC to give them the extra autonomy and powers included in Bill 107.
Why are they trying at all costs to keep Robert Lafrenière in that job? STÉPHANE BERGERON