UPAC head grilled by MNAs before public security committee - Action News
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UPAC head grilled by MNAs before public security committee

CBC reporter Ryan Hicks blogs about the much-anticipated appearance by the head of Quebec's anti-corruption squad, UPAC, at the National Assembly today.

Robert Lafrenire faced questions about corruption investigations, allegations of political interference

The head of UPAC, Robert Lafrenire, testifies before the public security committee of the National Assembly on May 4. (CBC)

Robert Lafrenire, the head of Quebec's anti-corruption squad (UPAC), said he is not controlled by the Liberal government despite being appointed by it.

Lafrenire madea much-anticipated appearance at the National Assembly today, just days afteran allegation from the head of the police brotherhood that two Liberals had not been charged because of their political connections.

MNAs on the public security committee questionedLafrenire aboutUPAC's corruption investigations.

The appearance byLafrenire and the head of Quebec's provincial police, Martin Prud'homme, comes as UPAC faces calls to delve into political financing activities by former premier Jean Charestand ex-Liberal Partyorganizer Marc Bibeau.

Quebecor media reported recentlythat both men had been under investigation until last year as part of a broader operation dubbed"Mchurer."

UPAC had Charest and Bibeau on its radar in 2013 for fundraising activities dating back a decade earlier, before Charest became premier, according to Radio-Canada.

Opposition parties have expressed frustration that the investigation has yet to produce results and have raised questions about UPAC's independence from political influence and pressure.

Pascal Brub, public security critic for the oppostion Parti Qubcois, repeated those concerns Thursday.

Both the PQ and the Coalition Avenir Qubec want the head of UPAC to be named by the National Assembly and approved by a two-thirds vote.

Read the latest from CBC National Assembly reporter Ryan Hicks in our blog:

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