Ethics commissioner in Quebec to look into Peladeau actions
Ethics commissioner in Quebec to look into Peladeau actions
Quebec's ethics commissioner will hold an inquiry into allegations that potential Parti Quebecois leadership candidate Pierre Karl Peladeau intervened politically on the question of the future of a Montreal movie studio on which his Quebecor media company was bidding. Peladeau has insisted he was only trying to keep Mel's Cite du cinema in Quebec hands. Peladeau has been criticized recently for refusing to sell his shares in Quebecor, which was built by his father, if he becomes PQ leader.
My action was solely motivated by my belief in the importance of keeping in Quebec hands the control of one of our companies, especially since Mel's studios had benefited in the past from public finances.
Pierre Karl Peladeau, a potential Parti Quebecois leadership candidate, wrote on Facebook
Economic Development Minister Jacques Daoust said he was surprised by Peladeau. He said Peladeau asked him to intercede to maintain the Quebec ownership of Vision Globale, which owns Mel's and was being eyed by Quebecor and an American company. The Liberal cabinet minister, who was aware that Quebecor had made an offer to purchase Vision Globale, said Peladeau raised the matter with him at a legislative commission which was reviewing spending by his department. Daoust said he did not think that was the place to discuss an ongoing transaction.
He asked that a Quebec company be given preferential treatment: 'Go do something for Quebec society.' I don't have the exact text but it comes down to that.
Economic Development Minister Jacques Daoust