Former minister cleared of misconduct for taking private health job

Quebec's lobbying watchdog has cleared former Health minister Philippe Couillard of any wrongdoing after he took a job with a private health care company days after leaving politics.

The Quebec lobbying commissioner investigated allegations of misconduct that surfaced after Couillard resigned his political position last June.

André Côté examined secret government documents and emails, and collected sworn testimony to determine the precise links between Couillard and Sheldon and Stuart Elmans, the two men who run the holding company that owns the private health services firm Medisys.

Côté's investigation revealed a series of email exchanges and meetings between Couillard and the Elmans while Couillard was still part of Jean Charest's cabinet.

Those conversations revolved around the terms of an eventual work contract as Couillard prepared his exit from politics.

On the very day he quit, the probe shows, Couillard participated in his final cabinet meeting, when the government approved a set of fee schedules for private health clinics, like the ones Medisys operates.

However, the commissioner said nothing Couillard did broke the province's lobbying rules.

Côté also ruled the Elmans did nothing wrong because they were not registered lobbyists and their dealings with Couillard only involved employment possibilities.

The report also notes that it was Couillard who, through a headhunter, contacted the private medical company to inquire about potential job prospects.