Former Quebec premier Jean Charest stands by ex-cabinet mates Normandeau, Hamad

MONTREAL – Former Quebec premier Jean Charest says he has full confidence in ex-deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau as she faces corruption-related charges.

Normandeau was one of seven people arrested by the province’s anti-corruption unit last month in a scheme that allegedly saw political financing and gifts exchanged for lucrative government contracts.

She is charged with fraud, conspiracy, corruption and breach of trust and is due in court on April 20 in Quebec City.

Before a scheduled speech at McGill University today, Charest spoke to reporters about Normandeau and Sam Hamad, who has just stepped aside as treasury board minister over an alleged ethics scandal.

Charest applauded Hamad’s move to voluntarily ask the province’s ethics commissioner to look into allegations contained in a Radio-Canada report.

That report suggested Hamad may have passed along strategic information to help a horticultural company that was trying to get a government grant.

Normandeau, 48, was an influential minister who served as a Liberal member of the legislature from 1998 to 2011, holding key cabinet positions including municipal affairs, natural resources and Canadian intergovernmental affairs

“In the case of Madame Normandeau, I know her very well and have for a long time,” Charest said of his longtime cabinet colleague. “I always had confidence inher and I still have confidence in Madame Normandeau.”