(Quebec) CAQ member Marie-Louise Tardif is under investigation by the major crimes division of the Sûreté du Québec because of threats she allegedly made in a courtroom. The chief government whip, Éric Lefebvre, now wants to meet her to “hear her point of view”.
According to the daily Le Nouvelliste, the MP for Laviolette–Saint-Maurice allegedly threatened an ex-employee last week in the middle of a courtroom. The chief government whip, Éric Lefebvre, now wants to meet her to “hear her point of view”.
But the member is difficult to reach, she is currently outside the country, says her political attaché Hugo Lemay. “There will be no further comment. The Sûreté du Québec is doing its job,” he said before declining a request for an interview with The Press.
Prime Minister François Legault does not intend to exclude him from caucus before hearing his version. “There I saw the remarks. It is worrying. But I want to make sure I get his version. So our whip, Éric Lefebvre, will be meeting with her in the next few hours. And we will first hear his version, ”he said during a press scrum in Quebec.
Le Nouvelliste reports that Mme Tardif would have arrested, during a hearing before the Small Claims Division of the Court of Quebec, a witness who corroborated the words of a former employee of the member who is suing her for wrongful dismissal.
Sylvie Guilbeau told the media that Marie-Louise Tardif would have whispered to her “we are going to embark on your case”. She would later have insulted Mme Guilbeau, and even threatened to have her arrested by the police. Mme Guilbeau then filed a complaint with the Sûreté du Québec.
The Sûreté du Québec confirms that an investigation is underway, led by its major crimes division. The spokesperson for the police force for the Mauricie region, Éloïse Cossette, points out that the event occurred in the grounds of a courthouse. She also affirms that one should not “jump to conclusions” and that one should wait for the result of the investigation.
On the side of the Coalition avenir Québec, the chief government whip, Éric Lefebvre, wishes to “meet Marie-Louise Tardif to hear her point of view” before making a decision. “We will not make any other comments until then,” said by text message the director of communications for Mr. Lefebvre’s office, Marc Danis.
With Gabriel Beland, The Press