Sam Hamad, former Liberal cabinet minister, quits politics

Quebec Liberal MNA Sam Hamad, a former cabinet minister whose ethical integrity has been called into question,has stepped down.

Hamadtold reporters Thursday morning he has been thinking about resigning for a long time, and the news isn't related to explosive allegations made by Montreal's police union boss Thursday morning.

• Case against 2 Liberal MNAs dropped despite evidence, says Montreal police union boss

In an interview on 98.5 FM, Yves Francoeur said two members of the Quebec Liberal Party, including a current MNA,were the targets of a police investigation, but charges were never laid in the case.

Francoeur said he believes if they weren't Liberals, they'd have been charged already.

Hamad categorically denied that hisresignation was tied to Francoeur'sallegations.

Sam Hamad quits politics

7 years ago

Duration 0:31

Former Liberal cabinet minister Sam Hamad says he wanted to give back to Quebec after the province gave him so much when he first arrived.

He said he is returning to the world of business, the sphere in which he workedbefore he was first elected in 2003.

Politics"is an immense honour that comeswith weighty responsibilitiesthat I took on with integrity," he saidduring an emotional newsconference at a Quebec City community centre.

He choked up several times, notably when speakingabout immigratingto Quebec from Syria, starting a family and as he reflectedon a 14-year career in politics.

He said he ran for office to give back to Quebec and Quebecers, but after years of missed dinners and not seeing his grandchildren, he said he wants to devote more time to his family.

"I want to regain the freedom that's pushed aside when one goesinto politics," he said.

Sam Hamad by the numbers:

• Led seven ministries.
• Served on 11 ministerial committees.
• Piloted the adoption of 30 bills.
• Participated in 165 days of election campaigns.
• Attended 1,148 Question Periods.
• Passed 5,125 days as the elected representative of Louis-Hbert.

Ethical transgressions?

Hamad representedthe riding ofLouis-Hbertin the Quebec City region and most recentlyserved as Treasury Board president beforeresigninginApril 2016, following a report from Radio-Canada'sEnqutethat his relationship with a disgraced former Quebec Liberal Party fundraiser,Marc-YvanCt, placedhim in a conflict of interest.

• Sam Hamad, target of ethics probe, resigns from cabinet

Quebec's ethics commissioner ruled that while Hamadfailed to uphold the values of the National Assembly in his dealings with a disgraced party fundraiser, he shouldn't be sanctioned.

Hamadstayed on as an MNAbut never returned to cabinet. He has always denied any wrongdoing.

At the news conference, he said he was leaving with his head held high.

"I think I [fought]for my honour and I [won]," he said.

He held a number of cabinet posts over the course of his career,includingminister of natural resources, transportand labour.

An 'extraordinary' politician, colleague says

Treasury Board President PierreMoreaufirst confirmed the news to reporters at the National Assembly Thursday morning.

"It's sad to see him go. He dedicated a big part of his life to public service, and we should thank him for that,"Moreausaid.

Immigration Minister KathleenWeilcalledHamad"extraordinary" and said he told her he was optimistic about"new challenges ahead of him."

"I got into politics in 2008, and he already had a lot of experience and competence then. He was a true leader, a man of actionand team player. I have a lot of admiration for him," she said.

Monique Landry, who volunteered on all ofHamad'selection campaigns since 2003, described himas "hardworking" and said politicians like him needa thick skin.

"You have to be tough," she said. "It's not easy because people are so critical."

"There's so much cynicism about politics, and so many people judge on appearances."