Sonia LeBel, former Charbonneau Commission lawyer, joins Quebec’s Coalition party

MONTREAL – The former lead counsel for the commission that looked into corruption in Quebec’s construction industry has joined the province’s third biggest political party.

Sonia LeBel says she is becoming deputy chief of staff to Coalition Leader Francois Legault in order to keep alive the work of the commission.

“It is important that the work we accomplished is not forgotten,” LeBel told a news conference alongside Legault on Tuesday.

“I have decided to get closer to politics, which isn’t necessarily natural for me. I think however that this is the best way for me to continue contributing to the fight against corruption.”

LeBel, who was a Crown prosecutor for more than 20 years, says she wants to look into the matter of party financing, including that of the Coalition.

Party financing was one of the major topics of the Charbonneau Commission during its lengthy hearings.

LeBel was also questioned about whether she will run for the right-of-centre Coalition in the 2018 provincial election.

“I am not coming out as a candidate this morning and it is far too early for me right now to answer that question.”