ADQ MNA demands apology

Former interim Action Dmocratique du Quebec leader Sylvie Roy is demanding an apology after a motion of censure that could have stripped her of her seat was rejected by the Speaker of the national assembly Thursday.

The motion, presented by the Liberal government, chastised Roy for having alleged that three cabinet ministers had gone on board a boat belonging to Tony Accurso, the construction entrepreneur at the center of the city of Montreals water-meter scandal.

The Charest government accused Roy of abusing her right to parliamentary privilege, calling the comments that Roy made in the national assembly a week ago false and defamatory.

Premier Jean Charest said he had verified the information with Transport Minister Julie Boulet, Junior Transport Minister Norman MacMillan and former labour minister David Whisell, who denied the accusations.

Accurso also denied the allegations.

Roy said she also received a lawyers letter from Boulet demanding she retract her comments, but she refused to back down accusing the government of "intimidation."

Roy's remarks didn't violate the traditions of rigorous debate in the assembly, said Speaker Yvon Vallires.

Followingthe ruling, Government House Leader Jacques Dupuis asked Vallires to clarify the regulations regarding parliamentary privilege, "so that [this] decision is not interpreted as permission to do no matter what."