Premier says with UPAC probe still underway, public must wait for answers about Guy Ouellette's arrest

Premier Philippe Couillard said for the time being, he doesn't believe anyonewill get any more answers about why a sitting MNA was arrested by Quebec's anti-corruption unit (UPAC) last week.

Couillard told reporters in Quebec City Wednesday that because the UPACinvestigation is still underway,he believes both Guy Ouellette and UPACofficials have given as much information as they canabout the situation.

"The nature of an inquiry is that things are left hanging. I wish I could tell you how it's going to end," he said.

• UPAC denies arrest of Guy Ouellette was 'attempt at intimidation'

Nearly a week after the arrest ofOuellette, who represents Laval's Chomedey riding,both the MNAand UPAC made attempts to clarify the situation.

Grantedparliamentary immunity to speak toMNAswith impunity Tuesday, Ouellettesaid he was the victim of a set-up andaccused UPAC of"an attempt at intimidation without precedent."

UPACdirectors dismissed Ouellette'sversion of events, explaining in a rare news conference that followed Ouellette's speech that thearrest was the resultof an ongoing investigation into leaked documents tied to OperationMchurer, which is looking into the provincial Liberal Party's financing.

Ouellette was released without being chargedbut removed himself from the Liberal caucustemporarily as he awaitsnews on whether he will be charged.

Robert Lafrenire, the head of UPAC, said he is "convinced" there will be charges in the case,but that decision lies in the hands of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions. With the investigation still underway,it may be some time before that decision is mademeaning Ouellette could be sitting an independent MNA for weeks to come.

Allegations not addressed

Annie Trudel, a former analyst with the Quebec Transport Ministry, told the Journal de Montreal that she was also arrested by UPAC last Wednesday.

In an interview with the newspaper, sheaccused Quebec's securities regulator, the AMF, and UPAC of colluding to benefit a private consultation firm.

Trudel said Ouellette also has information on the alleged scheme. None of theallegations have been verified by CBC/Radio-Canada.

Many political pundits thought that, having been grantedparliamentary immunity Tuesday, Ouellette would address those bombshell allegations, but he didnot.

CAQ MNA Franois Bonnardel said that is worrisome.

"We still have no answers about some questions they gave us," he said.

He said if the Liberals were tohold a committee hearing, MNAs would be able to question Ouellette, Trudel, UPAC and the AMF about the claims.

However,Parti Qubcois MNA Pascal Brub was less concerned, saying he doesn't believe it hurts Ouellette's credibility that he didn't address those allegations.

"He is a courageous man, he arrested some tough bikers back in the day, he's not afraid of anyone," Brubsaid.

Brub said it doesn't seem as though UPACdirectors heard NationalAssembly President Jacques Chagnon's speech, inwhich he condemned Ouellette'sarrest, saying it puts the principle behind the separation of powers at risk.

"It seems like they want to fight."

• The Current: Internal politics and rivalry could be behind MNA Guy Ouellette's arrest, suggests reporter

What it boils down to

Since the news broke on Oct. 25, MNAs have been clamouring for answers that many feel they haven't fully received.

It all boils down to a he-said, they-said situation who to believe, the politicianor UPAC?

For now, what we know is that Ouelletteand Trudel were both arrested last Wednesday in Quebec City, and neither have been charged.

Ouelletteclaims he was framed by UPACin order to stop him from doing his work. UPAC says he was arrested as part of its ongoing investigation of provincial Liberal Party financing.

National Assembly PresidentJacques Chagnonsaid damage was doneto Ouellette's reputation that has impeded his ability to do his work.

Fuelling the confusion is the fact that confirmed facts have beenhard to come by.UPACnever even acknowledged that Ouellette was the person who was arrested in its raids on Oct. 25until its news conference on Tuesday, six days later.