(Quebec) The Legault government is blocking the holding of an initiative order in order to hear witnesses in a parliamentary committee to understand how a secret criminal trial could be held in Quebec.
Posted at 12:12 p.m.
Last month, PQ MNA Véronique Hivon asked the Committee on Institutions to take up such a mandate in order to hear the Minister of Justice and deputy ministers, but also the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions, the Barreau du Québec and the Association of Defense Lawyers, among others. The deputies of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) finally voted against on Wednesday.
“It is extremely disappointing. If there is a time when MPs must all take on their role in the most independent way possible, it is when we are faced with a questioning of such a fundamental pillar of our democracy. reacted M.me Hivon.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Veronique Hivon
“When there is something that shakes so much the principles at the very basis of our democratic system, elected officials must – because that is our role – try to shed light to try to understand how things could have unfolded. thus. This is a missed opportunity,” she added.
In March, The Press revealed that a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) police informant was convicted in a secret trial held in Quebec without any case numbers being opened, with charges kept confidential, as well as the sentence and the name of the judge. The existence of this lawsuit was revealed by the Court of Appeal.
Since then, the Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette, has asked the highest court in the province to identify the judge and the lawyers who were involved. media, including The Pressare also joining forces to overturn the orders barring access to the “secret trial” file.