Philippe Couillard accused of demoting Robert Poeti for flagging problems in Transport Ministry

QuebecPremier Philippe Couillard is defending himself against allegations he demoted his transport minister for uncovering mismanagement and intimidation in the Ministry of Transport.

The opposition accused Couillard today in the National Assemblyof demoting Robert Poeti after the minister flagged a series of irregularities in hisdepartment, including the way public contracts were awarded.

Couillard said he demoted Poeti in January because he wanted to make room in his cabinet for more women and young people.

Quebec's L'actualitmagazine reported that Poeti had discovered transport employees were being intimidated by their superiors and that embarrassing cost overruns on public projects were hidden.

The magazine also reported that former employees were given no-bid contracts worth slightly under $25,000, which is the legal limit that triggers a call for tenders.

Poeti said today he believed Couillard when he said he was demoted to make the cabinet more diverse.