CAQ wants Boisclair recalled from New York post

Quebecs second opposition party, la Coalition Avenir Qubec (CAQ), is demanding Premier Pauline Marois recall Andr Boisclair from his post as Quebecs chief trade representative in New York City, following newly released testimony from the Charbonneau commission.

CAQ MNA Jacques Duchesneau wants Boisclair to be suspended from his duties until light is shed on evidence that the former PQ municipal affairs minister awarded a contract to his close friend and political fundraiser, businessman Paul Sauv, just four days before a provincial election call in 2003.

A letter from Boisclair to the minister of St. James United Church on April 10, 2003 promised $2.5 million toward major renovations at the historic church in downtown Montreal a project spearheaded by Sauv.

Sauv told the commission last week he got the go-ahead for the project because of his friendship with Boisclair.

Subsidy 'sad and troubling,' Duchesneau says

Giving a subsidy four days before an election you know youre going to lose puts the burden on the next government, said Duchesneau in an interview on CBC Montreals Radio Noon. Thats sad...and very troubling.

In the national assembly today, International Relations Minister Jean-Franois Lise said he has no plans to recall Boisclair from New York.

I talked to him Monday, Lise said. He said he is available to the commission or the police to answer any questions. He thinks everything was done above board.

Role of organized crime?

Duchesneau said Sauv has also said he had business dealings with a known criminal organization, the Hells Angels.

Was Minister Boisclair coerced? Duchesneau asked, recalling Boisclairs 2005 admission that he was a cocaine user. Where do you get cocaine? ...Is it not through organized crime? Thats the link that really concerns me.

To me, all these questions really affect his credibility and his judgment. And hes our ambassador in New York.

Boisclair demands apology

Lisesaid Duchesneau's comments about Boisclair's past drug use and his connections smack of defamation, and he demanded the CAQpolitician apologize.

"Creating accusations out of nowhere, with no proof whatsoever a purely political statement," Lise said. "I have esteem for Mr. Duchesneau. I'm very disappointed with what he did today."

"I hope he regroups and takes back his words."

Boisclair, too, is demanding a retraction and says he will send a lawyer's letter to DuchesneauThursday, demanding an apology.

Duchesneau is refusing to back down, saying he is simply posing questions.