Weil found in contempt of National Assembly

Quebec cabinet minister Kathleen Weil has been cited for contempt of the legislature because details of a bill were released to reporters before it was even tabled in the National Assembly.

In his decision handed down today, Speaker Jacques Chagnon ruled Weil violated the right of members of the legislature to be the first people informed of the contents of a bill.

Both Chagnon and Weil are Liberals.

The matter was initially raised by Parti Québécois member of the legislature Pascal Bérubé last month after he learned that copies of the bill had been distributed to reporters in a technical briefing.

Weil took responsibility at the time for what she called a goodfaith blunder, but her spokeswoman said Tuesday the minister would not be reacting to Chagnon’s decision.

A National Assembly commission will determine what sanctions Weil will face.