Charbonneau commission: Quebec to create public works authority

Quebec's Liberal government says it will table a bill this spring to create a public works authority in order to better monitor how public contracts are awarded. 

In its update on actions taken since the Charbonneau commission tabled its report, the government says it has addressed – or is in the process of addressing – about 15 of the report's recommendations.

• Charbonneau commission finds corruption widespread in Quebec's construction sector
• Nathalie Normandeau, ex-Quebec deputy premier, arrested by UPAC

"It is important to remember that the report had more than 60 recommendations covering more than 15 ministries and organizations," said Justice Minister Stéphanie Vallée.

"Our government is committed to following it."

She said 80 per cent of the recommendations will require legislative or regulatory amendments.

Political financing, ethics bills on the way

The bill tabled today comes a week after the arrest of former Liberal deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau.

Normandeau, who was Jean Charest's second-in-command from 2007 to 2011, faces charges that include conspiracy, corruption, breach of trust and bribery in relation to the awarding of a contract to build a water-treatment plant in Boisbriand, Que.

The Liberal government said Thursday the new measures had been in the works prior to Normandeau's arrest.

In her report tabled in November, Justice France Charbonneau concluded corruption and collusion are "far more widespread than originally believed."

Charbonneau said the commission, which investigated the awarding of government contracts and influence peddling in the construction sector, found that organized crime had indeed infiltrated the industry.

Democratic Reform Minister Rita de Santis also noted that bills will be tabled concerning political financing as well as ethics for provincial MNAs.