The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) has sent an official notice to Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, asking him to retract his statements linking the PLQ with organized crime and issue a formal apology.
St-Pierre Plamondon made the comments during a press conference held on June 12, the final day of the legislative session prior to the fall elections. In his remarks, he raised questions around the PLQ’s funding, referencing the ongoing investigation by the province’s anti-corruption unit (UPAC) into the allegations of illegal financing that surfaced during last year’s PLQ leadership race.
He argued that, although there is no evidence to substantiate the allegation, it is “legitimate and logical” to question whether a portion of the party’s financing was linked to organized crime.
Quebec politicians are afforded legal immunity for statements made during debates at the National Assembly but St-Pierre Plamondon’s comments are not legally protected because they were made during a press conference.
Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard said during a June 14 press conference that his party is giving the Parti Québécois leader 72 hours to respond.
“We are calling on Paul St-Pierre Plamondon today to do what any responsible person would do, which is to retract his remarks and issue an apology,” Milliard told reporters in French during the briefing in Montreal. “If he refuses to do so, the PLQ will not hesitate to defend its rights in court and reserves the right to file a defamation suit against the leader of the Parti Québécois.”
Milliard said St-Pierre Plamondon’s remarks likening the Liberal Party to organized crime during its leadership campaign were unfounded and were made “for the purpose of misinforming the public and sowing doubt.”
The Liberal leader told reporters he is willing to accept criticism, “no matter how harsh,” but is “uncompromising” when the integrity of the party, its activists, its National Assembly members, and its new candidates is called into question.
“This time, it won’t fly. By linking the Quebec Liberal Party to organized crime, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has crossed a line that no serious political leader should have crossed,” Millard said. “His remarks are irresponsible, defamatory, and unworthy of someone who aspires to govern Quebec.”
St-Pierre Plamondon held his own press conference a few hours later to tell reporters he has no intention of apologizing, noting that it would not be the first time the party has threatened to sue him.
The PQ leader told reporters he was discussing “the legal definition” of organized crime, not “a criminal organization” when referring to the PLQ. He said his comments were meant to ask questions not make statements.
Party Allegations
St-Pierre Plamondon’s comments reference allegations that surfaced last December that some PLQ members who supported former leader Pablo Rodriguez in last summer’s leadership race received cash payments or other financial compensation.The accusations against organizers and fundraisers were focused on a straw-donor scheme that eventually led to Rodriguez’s resignation. A straw donor is a person who illegally uses another person’s money to make a political contribution in their own name.
Media reports alleged that the organizer of a fundraising event attended by Rodriguez reimbursed $500 in cash to approximately 20 individuals who were unable to pay the entry fee, in what could amount to subsidized political donations.
Quebec’s anti-corruption squad announced in December it would open a criminal investigation into the party.
St-Pierre Plamondon said last week that while he had no evidence suggesting links between the PLQ and organized crime, it is a “question that is absolutely legitimate and logical,” in his view and should be part of the anti-corruption unit’s probe.
“How was this slush fund financed?” he said. “If you’re able to hand out $500 in cash to just about anyone who shows up at a fundraising cocktail party, the first question people are going to ask you is: where does the money come from?”
“Someone had to finance that operation,” he added. “And there are many hidden sources of funding; it could come from criminal activities, but it could also come from the federal government.”
Milliard told reporters during his press conference that the two leaders have not spoken since June 12.
“If he wants to reach out to me, I‘ll be happy to speak with him,” said Milliard. “But for now, the decision is his. And he’ll be responsible for his actions.”
