Drummondville, Que., mayoral candidate targeted by fake Elections Quebec letters

Drummondville mayoral candidate David Bélanger says he's the target of a disinformation campaign aimed at casting doubt on his candidacy's legality, Radio-Canada is reporting.

His campaign released a statement denouncing the "deceptive and co-ordinated actions aimed at undermining his civic engagement."

Radio-Canada obtained documents bearing the Elections Quebec letterhead and the chief electoral officer's signature, which were mailed to Bélanger at his workplace, the Office d'habitation Centre-du-Québec.

They suggest that Bélanger's candidacy is the subject of several complaints and that the chief electoral officer opened an investigation into him led by someone named Martin Jacob.

The letters also call on Bélanger to resign from his role at the Office d'habitation and publicly announce that he is withdrawing from the race.

A copy of one of the letters was sent to the president of the Office d'habitation Centre-du-Québec.

Bélanger's campaign manager, Dominique Martin, said in an interview on Radio-Canada's Toujours le matin that the content of the letters is a "little incoherent, not to say bizarre."

Bélanger's campaign and Radio-Canada contacted Elections Quebec, which confirmed that the letters were forged and had not been sent by the organization.

"What's appalling about this whole story is that, in my opinion, it's criminal to forge the signature of the chief electoral officer," Martin said.

Bélanger and his campaign were notified in April of a person posing as an Elections Quebec investigator who had been calling the heads of organizations in the regions as well as people close to the candidate.

The person alleged that Bélanger's candidacy was invalid because of his employment, according to the person who informed Bélanger of the calls.

The supposed investigator allegedly left Bélanger a voice message, making the same claims, which is how the campaign team found out.

"We found that suspicious because in Mr. Bélanger file with the DGEQ [Elections Quebec], his candidate file, it's his cellphone number that is listed officially," Martin said. "So why would the person leave a message on his work voicemail?"

Martin said the campaign has no inkling of who might be behind the communications.

"It could be anyone. Are they people who want to run for mayor? Are they people who have a personal grudge against Mr. Bélanger? The list could be very, very broad," Martin added.

Evidence sent to UPAC

In a news release, Bélanger's campaign said that "all elements related to this fraudulent operation have been transmitted to the appropriate authorities for a full investigation."

The case has been transferred to Quebec's anti-corruption unit (UPAC).

Martin said Bélanger isn't allowing himself to be distracted by the controversy, but the candidate is still "a little disappointed" because he has been saying he wants to run a clean campaign.

Elections Quebec said in an email that "identity theft is a serious offence and we have forwarded the information to the appropriate authorities."

It would not comment further due to any potential investigations