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Group says Quebec’s response to Charbonneau Commission recommendations falls short

Nov 23, 2016 | 12:15 PM

MONTREAL — A group following up on the work of Quebec’s Charbonneau Commission says the provincial government isn’t doing enough to put the corruption inquiry’s recommendations into effect.

The watchdog group made up of academics as well as current and former politicians says just 15 recommendations out of 60 have been implemented since the inquiry tabled its report last year.

Nine other recommendations have been partially put in force and the government has failed to act on 36 others.

While the government has moved on some issues like tightening political party financing, it has failed in other respects.

The group says a proposed independent public procurement authority tasked with overseeing public contracts lacks the independence, powers and tools necessary to act properly and would only look at contracts valued at more than $100,000.

The group also says a proposed bill covering the protection for whistle-blowers doesn’t go far enough.

“Given the importance of the integrity of public contracts and the seriousness of the schemes of corruption, collusion and infiltration of organized crime, the committee concludes that the government must do better,” said Martine Valois, a law professor and member of the committee, at a news conference on Wednesday.

The group says it will do a second follow-up report.

The Charbonneau Commission, presided by Quebec Superior Court Justice France Charbonneau, published its report one year ago Thursday.

The Canadian Press