Report into Montreal police spying scandal 'a whitewash,' Opposition says

The Opposition at city hallis slamming a City of Montreal report that found police did nothing wrongwhen they obtained warrants to put four journalists under surveillance.

Thecity's public security commission said in the report that it's"reassured" and "satisfied" with the conductof the Montreal police department.

The reportlays out no official recommendations for ensuring the freedom of the press.It does, however, suggest it would be helpful to establish a definition for "journalist."

The commissionwas mandated by city council to look into the matter.

Alex Norris, aProjetMontral councillor and a former journalist,says the commission didn't go far enough in its investigation.

Journalists, outside experts not consulted

Norris, whoalso sits on the commission, saidmembers only met three times behind closed doors and only spoke to police.Experts and journalists weren't consulted.

"Weheard from one source:senior commanders ofthe SPVM itself," he said.

"This report is essentially a whitewash."

Norris was the only dissenting voice on the commission. The report will be presented to city council this afternoon.

Four journalists,Patrick Lagac, Flix Sguin,Monic Nron and Fabrice de Pierrebourg, were put under surveillance by Montreal police as part of an effort to control leaks within the service.

Coderre stands by police chief

Coderre hasstood steadfastly by police Chief Philippe Pichet throughout the scandal,which simmered throughout the fall.

The mayor himself became involvedafter headmittedthat he had telephoned then-police chief Marc Parent in 2014 to talkabout Lagac, just before police obtained search warrants to look at Lagac'scell phone logs.

But Coderre insistedhe did not ask Parent to investigate the La Presse columnist.

Last month, theQuebec government called an inquiry of its own into police surveillance by both Montreal and Quebec provincial police.

Coderrehad earlier calledanother investigation to be headed by the city's inspector general. But he scrapped that idea after the province announced plans for an inquiry.

• Surveillancea 'serious attack on freedom of the press in Canada'