Quebec's anti-corruption squad considers rebrand

The head of Quebec's anti-corruption squadsays he's considering a name change and a rebrand to try to gethis troubled police unit back on track.

Frdrick Gaudreau told media today he's ready to make whateverchanges are necessary to salvageUPAC's reputation,aftera series ofhigh-profile setbacks and embarrassing failures.

The unitwas formed about a decade ago to investigate corruption, mainly among Quebec'spolitical and business elite.

Among UPAC's struggles is an investigation into alleged illegal party financing within the Quebec Liberal party that was launched in 2014 and continues todrag on with no endin sight.

More recently, a judge shut down the corruption trial of the former mayor of Terrebonne, Que., north of Montreal, citingthe poor conduct of the UPAC officers who investigated him.

Gaudreau, who released the unit's annual report today, says despite its shortcomings, the investigative teamis still needed to carry out independent corruption inquiries.

"Against all odds,'' the unit still has a role to play, Gaudreausaid.

Earlier this year, Gaudreau was forced to apologize to Guy Ouellette, an Independent member of the legislature, for wrongfully arresting him in relation to the Liberal financing investigation in October 2017.

Last year,former Liberal premier Jean Charest launched a lawsuitagainst the government for violating his privacy in connection with the same probe.

A separate investigation led to criminal charges against former Quebec deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau. Those chargeswere stayed in September 2020 becauselegal proceedings took too long.

Gaudreau says he understands the impatience of people wondering why investigations remain open for years without charges being laid.

He said the investigation into former members of the provincial Liberals is"extremely complex,'' and did not set a deadline for when it would be completed.

Gaudreaupromisedto restore public confidence when he took over as director ofUPAC in 2019 .

Dominique Anglade, the leader of the Quebec LiberalParty,said a name change would be nothing more than a "cosmetic'' gesture.

Anglade says"much stronger action'' is needed to improve the way the unitoperates.

Public Security Minister Genevive Guilbault also weighed in onTuesday.

"I read the bad news too," she said, "but still we have to see [the bigger picture]. UPAC is a realpolice for [only] three years now."

Guilbault says UPAC didn't have the same tools as other police forces until three years ago and new training requirements for its officers weren't finalized until last August.

"We have to be a little more patient, to wait for Mr. Gaudreau to be able to apply those new tools and get back the confidence of the public," shesaid.