Former PQ leader Boisclair to address allegations involving cocaine use

MONTREAL – A former head of the Parti Quebecois will meet with reporters this afternoon to address comments that made a connection between a government subsidy and his past use of cocaine.

Andre Boisclair was relieved of his duties as Quebec’s official representative in New York City on Friday in order to fight the allegations.

Boisclair had initially called a news conference for Monday.

Testimony at Quebec’s corruption inquiry alleged Boisclair authorized a $2.5-million subsidy in 2003 for a construction project involving a company that had ties to the Hells Angels.

Boisclair was a PQ cabinet minister at the time.

Jacques Duchesneau, a Coalition member of the legislature, made a link this week between the criminal organization and the fact that Boisclair has admitted to using cocaine before.

Boisclair has threatened Duchesneau with legal action if he doesn’t retract the comments.

In a statement late Friday, Quebec’s International Relations Minister Jean-Francois Lisee confirmed Boisclair had been granted temporary leave of his diplomatic post.

“I wish Mr. Boisclair good luck in these difficult times and I thank him for the excellent work he has accomplished in the last few months in New York,” Lisee said.