Watchdog to probe UPAC leaks

Quebec’s independent police watchdog will investigate leaks of confidential information apparently coming from UPAC, Quebec’s anti-corruption body. The Ministry of Public Security said Thursday the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) would probe “all leaks from UPAC investigation projects and the conduct of the Project A investigation.”

The Project A investigation is aimed at MP Guy Ouellette, who now sits as an independent after being expelled from the Liberal caucus after the last election.

In the fall of 2017, Ouellette was arrested by UPAC, who suspected him of having shared police investigation documents.

UPAC then announced its investigation was into “possible breaches of trust and obstruction of justice.”

More specifically, UPAC suspected Ouellette of having been involved in a conspiracy related to the theft of documents and their disclosure in the media regarding the Mâchurer investigation looking into the financing of the Quebec Liberal Party when Jean Charest was the leader.

The member for Chomedey had applied to have the search warrants invalidated. Items had been seized but were sealed after the National Assembly invoked parliamentary privilege.

A few days later, UPAC Commissioner Robert Lafrenière resigned.

The BEI investigation follows a request made to deputy minister of public safety Liette Larrivée by the director of criminal and penal prosecutions, Annick Murphy, the ministry said in a statement.