Charest testifies at judge-naming inquiry
Que. premier expected to deny key allegations by former justice minster
Quebec Premier Jean Charest is preparing to testify at the Bastarache commission on Thursday about what role, if any, he played in alleged Liberal Party tampering in the naming of judges.
Charest is expected to begin testifying at 2 p.m. ET in Quebec City.
Former justice minister Marc Bellemare has accused Charest of encouraging Liberal-friendly judicial appointments. Bellemare has testified he told Charest twice — once in 2003 and again in early 2004 — he was being pressured by Liberal Party of Quebec fundraisers to appoint certain judges.
Bellemare claims Charest told him the fundraisers were important party members and Bellemare should follow their instructions.
The premier is expected to deny Bellemare's allegations.
Charest has publicly denied the claims before, saying the two never discussed judicial appointments. Charest has also said Bellemare never brought his concerns to him.
Prosecutors are expected to ask Charest for evidence to support his claims, including one that a Sept. 2, 2003, meeting never happened.
Charest has been downplaying his appearance before the commission. He told reporters recently not to expect any fireworks or surprises.
Fundraiser sets stage for Charest
Charest will appear before the commission on the heels of high-profile testimony from Franco Fava, one of the fundraisers Bellemare accused of applying pressure in appointments.
Bellemare said Fava pressured him to name three people to the judiciary — Michel Simard, Marc Bisson and Line Gosselin-Després — while he ran the Justice Ministry in 2003 and 2004.
Fava, who began his testimony Wednesday and was to continue Thursday morning, disputed Bellemare's allegations.
He said he never discussed judicial appointments with Bellemare, and he accused Bellemare of having a personal vendetta against Charest.
Fava said he and Bellemare met formally once, to discuss a piece of labour legislation, at Bellemare's request. He said the two crossed paths again on a casual basis, once at a restaurant and subsequently at fundraising events.
Another Quebec Liberal fundraiser, Charles Rondeau, testified at the commission earlier this week that he visited Charest's office 20 times in 2003 — after the party took power — with a list of Liberal loyalists for hire.
The commission has also set aside additional time Friday morning for the continuation of Charest's cross-examination.