Quebec adopts motion calling for release of documents from 1995 referendum probe
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Loading... - Beatrix Huber
- 26 May 2023
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Quebec's legislative body has unanimously approved a resolution urging the province's chief electoral officer to disclose all records pertaining to an inquiry into unlawful expenditures preceding the 1995 referendum.
Conducted in 2006 under the guidance of retired judge Bernard Grenier, the investigation revealed that two federally-supported organizations failed to declare expenditures exceeding $500,000. Over 90 individuals provided testimony during the closed-door investigation, and a staggering 4,500 documents were submitted as evidence. Grenier, appointed by the chief electoral officer, deemed it necessary to permanently seal all the documents.
The Parti Québécois, the party responsible for introducing the resolution, argues that the public deserves access to the contents of these documents. PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon emphasized earlier this week in the legislative assembly that there is no justification for keeping the files classified indefinitely. He further expressed that numerous unanswered questions persist regarding the 1995 vote, narrowly won by the No side.
Initially, the PQ proposed a motion that would have compelled the government to pass a bill mandating the release of the documents. However, after discussions with the governing Coalition Avenir Québec, they made amendments to the motion.
