UPAC's 2nd-in-command steps down amid allegations he recommended dicey stock

Marcel Forget, the commissioner in charge of corporate integrity audits atQuebec's anti-corruption unit (UPAC), has stepped down after reportedly trying to sell the stock of a controversial firm in the 1990s.

In a statement, UPAC says theresignation comes in the wake of a report from le Journal de Montral alleging that Forget received chequesat his office after instructingpolice officers to buy shares in a Blainville-based companywhile he was an officer with theSret du Qubec.

"Mr. Forget preferred to step down in order not to harm the organization," said UPACin a statement,adding that Forget had not committed any illegal act.

Several police officers told le Journal de Montral they bought shares in a controversial company called Newtech,which touted a revolutionary braking system that never came to fruition, throughan intermediary, following arecommendation fromForget while he was an SQ police officer.

The events allegedly took placebetween 1990 and 2000.

Forget, who held his position at UPAC since 2013,is being replaced by MichelPelletier, an associate commissioner at UPAC.

Quebec Public Security Minister Martin Coiteuxwelcomed the decision, saying Forget's resignation was"made in the best interests of UPACand in the line of trustthat must exist."

New oversight committee

In the wake of Forget's resignation, Coiteuxalso announced he plans to create a monitoring committee to oversee UPAC.

The anti-corruption unit has been the subject of scrutiny sinceit arrested but never charged Liberal MNAand former high-profile police officerGuy Ouellette in late October.

• GuyOuelletteback in Liberal caucus following arrest by anti-corruption unit

Coiteux said the creation of a supervisory body is necessary because several questions have been raised about UPAC'sfunctions, including how it conducts investigations and the climate in the workplace.

"I wanted to go further because it's very important to reassure the public that investigations conducted by UPAC are done in a way that is rigorous, effective and independent," said Coiteux.

The committee would be composed of three people named by the government, with the agreement of two thirds of the National Assembly.

The chairwould have a seven-year mandatewhile the two other members of the committee would have a five-year mandate.

The committeewould be in charge of examining UPAC'shandlingof penal and criminal investigations. The committee would also make recommendations to the government.

As part of its mandate, the committee would also study UPAC'sannual general report and "any other question related to the activities" of the unit.

Coiteuxsaid he plans to introduce an amendment to Bill 107 on the independence of the anti-corruption unit soon.