Fresh Corruption Allegations Hit Québec Liberals Before No-Confidence Vote

Hours before a National Assembly vote that could bring down Jean Charest’s government, a Liberal candidate said he took illegal campaign donations.

David Grégoire, a minor Liberal candidate in the 2008 provincial election, said he accepted $3,000 in cash from a local town official, and a wad of cash from a construction entrepreneur. He never reported either donation. Charest has been under intense pressure to call an inquiry into illicit campaign donations, but has so far refused. A no-confidence bill tabled by the Parti Québécois goes to a vote Wednesday, and while the Liberals hold a majority and should survive it, it’s unclear how long Charest can ignore calls to investigate multiple corruption allegations. His next test will be Monday’s crucial by-election in Kamouraska-Temiscouata, a riding the Liberals have held for 25 years but are in danger of losing to the PQ.