Jacques Duchesneau was hired to investigate corruption in the construction industry. No one liked what he found.
Montrealers can be forgiven for having been a tad restive during the sweltering first days of summer. There were the nightly student protests against Quebec Premier Jean Charest’s government and clashes with police. About a month ago, a six-metre-deep sinkhole opened up on Sherbrooke Street just hours after tens of thousands of protesters had walked past. In late June, a sewage pipe burst at rue Ste-Catherine and McGill College, revealing that one of the city’s busiest intersections was being largely held up by old tramway rails embedded in the asphalt. More sections of pipe promptly burst under Peel Street.
And then there were the perp walks by public officials. In May, Montreal’s former executive committee chairman, Frank Zampino, was hauled out of bed and arrested for his alleged part in the sale of city land to developer Frank Catania for a fraction of its value. Last week, Luigi Coretti, a close friend of former provincial Liberal cabinet minister Tony Tomassi, who himself faces fraud and breach-of-trust charges, was charged with fraud and fabricating false documents.
Protests. Crumbling infrastructure. Public officials in handcuffs. How much can one city be expected to take?
I doubt this story is any surprise to Canadians (including “Quebecers”) but I note stories today predicting a Quebec provincial election in September as Charest hits the panic button. I hope he makes that mistake and buries himself along with all the “numphies” in the PQ. In Quebec it’s far past time for political change.
Collectively, they are responsible for this mess and with any luck at all many of them may yet end up “in the clink” (I keep crossing my fingers).
One new party that cannot be held responsible is the CAQ…a new broom if you will. Beholden to nobody.
“A breath of fresh air.”
Just my view.
FYI: This is an English site but French is permitted because my browser translates. I will delete offensive remarks wherever found.
“En Francais”:
“FYI: Il s’agit d’un site en anglais mais le français est permise parce que mon navigateur permet la traduction. Je vais supprimer injurieux où qu’ils se trouvent.”
I also note that I have a great deal of respect for Martin Patriquin, a Quebec reporter who calls things as he sees them. I’ve watched him for many years and rarely have I ever disagreed with him.
Strange that he turns up at MacLeans. He belongs in the National Post.