Liberal cabinet ordered to boycott ex-Liberal minister Normandeau’s radio show

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard is ordering members of his cabinet to boycott the radio show of a former Liberal minister charged with fraud.

A directive from his office prohibits cabinet ministers from accepting interview requests from Nathalie Normandeau until her legal matters are settled.

Normandeau held senior positions in Jean Charest’s Liberal cabinet and has been charged with conspiracy, corruption, breach of trust and fraud in a scheme in which money and gifts were allegedly exchanged for government contracts between 2000 and 2012.

International Relations Minister Christine St-Pierre said Normandeau “is a woman I adore and admire, with whom I adored working.”

In the current context, however, “being prudent means not accepting interview requests,” St-Pierre said.

After leaving politics, Normandeau began co-hosting a popular radio show in Quebec City but was fired shortly after her arrest last March.

She has since been hired to lead another on-air show in Quebec City, beginning this fall.

Health Minister Gaetan Barrette said it’s important no one risks infringing on matters before the courts, while Finance Minister Carlos Leitao said he has “no interest in giving an interview” to Normandeau.

Opposition parties have also signalled they would stay away from her show.

Nathalie Roy of the Coalition for Quebec’s Future said Normandeau “has absolutely no credibility to host a show about public affairs … considering the serious charges she is facing.”

Normandeau, who was also deputy premier for several years, has pleaded not guilty and is set to return to court later this month.