Pierre Karl Pladeau intervention investigated by Quebec's ethics watchdog

Quebec's ethics commissionerhas launched a formal investigation into Pierre Karl Pladeau's intervention before a legislative committee looking into the sale of Mel's Studio, a Montreal film production company on which Quebecorwas bidding.

Pladeau is the majority shareholder of the Quebec media giant, and he's come under fire in recent days for saying he willnot divest himself of the company built by his father, should he become Parti Qubcois leader.

An article in La Presse published today revealed that last July,Pladeauappeared before a legislative committee hearing to push for Mels Studioa large Montreal film studio that's up for saleto remain in the hands of a Quebec business.

Only two companies were in the running to purchase Mels: Quebecor Media International and Clearlake Capital, an American investment firm.

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Pladeau posted the La Presse article to his Facebook page Friday and defendedhis intervention,saying it was good for his constituency and the Quebec economy.

"This is my job, to make sure we will continue to build a strong economy in Quebec," Pladeau told CBC News.

He used the controversyas an opportunity to blast JacquesDaoust, the minister for the economy, innovations and exports.

"I think it's my job to make sure we can find solutions to find jobs," Pladeausaid. "If the minister doesn't want to do his job, I'm going to do his job in his place."

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Daoust called the situation delicate and difficult, but he refused to answer a Radio-Canada reporters question about whether he felt Pladeau was in a conflict of interest.

A conflict of interest? Well, I think youd have to ask him how he feels about this file, he said.

Daoustdid sayhe was surprised whenPladeauraised the issue before the legislative committee.

"If I had discussed it openly, it could have scared off the parties, and it could have tainted the transaction," he said.

In his post on Facebook,Pladeau said he would contact the province's ethics commission to clarify the situation.

"If I put myself in a position of apparent conflict of interestaccording to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Members of the National Assembly of Quebec, I apologize ,"Peladeauwrote.

The ethics commissionlost no time in contacting Pladeauto let him know the commissioner would be launching an investigation of his own accord.

In a news release, Ethics CommissionerJacques Saint-Laurent said the commissioncan take the initiative to investigate a possible breach of the code of conduct, as long asit's given notice to the member in advance.

The investigation will be done in private, however,the report will be tabled in the National Assembly as soon asit is finished.

Mel's Studios in Montreal's Technoparc has been the location for all the big Hollywood blockbusters in production in Montreal for the past 12 years. Built by Mel Hoppenheim, the studios along with the prop and equipment rental location was sold to Vision Globalein December2012.

Vision Globale put the company up for sale this past summer.