Liberal MNA Guy Ouellette arrested, questioned by UPAC

Quebec Liberal MNAGuy Ouellettehas been arrested.

The MNAfor Chomedey was apprehended Wednesday on the same day that the province's anti-corruption unit, UPAC, carried out raids in connection withleaked confidential documents.

Ouellette, 65,has not been charged with any crime. According to Radio-Canada sources, he is currently considered a suspect in the investigation into leaks to the media.

"MNAs are expressing their surprise," said Angelica Montgomery, CBC reporter at Quebec's National Assembly."They were caught completely unaware of this news."

Parti Qubcois leader Jean-Franois Lise said he was shocked.

"It's very serious that a parliamentarian is arrested," he said.

Franois Legault, leader of Coalition Avenir Quebec, said he's waiting for answers from the Liberal government.

"It's enormous, it's huge for the integrity of the Liberal Party."

Ouelletteis the president of the legislature committee that recently held hearings into confidential leaks of UPACdocuments.

In April, media reported that UPAC's Operation Mchurer had investigated former premier Jean Charest and formerQuebec Liberalparty fundraiser Marc Bibeauin relation tolinks between election financing and public contracts.

Last spring, UPACCommissioner RobertLafreniretestified before the committee that he would go all the way to shed light on leaks.

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Ouellettewas first elected to the National Assembly inMarch 2007 to represent the Laval riding of Chomedey.

Before entering political life, he wasa provincial police officer for about 30 years.He worked as a Sret du Qubecinvestigator in the Wolverine anti-biker gang squad.

Ouellette's arrest comes on the day that UPACexecutedwarrants and raided at the homes of two police officers on Montreal's South Shore.