National

Philippe Couillard Again Distances Himself From Previous Government Following Normandeau Arrest

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Mar, 2016 01:05 PM

MONTREAL — Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard continues to distance himself from the previous Liberal government a day after the arrest of ex-deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau.

Couillard said today the rules surrounding political party financing have completely changed since Normandeau's time in politics.

Normandeau was one of seven people arrested by the province's anti-corruption unit Thursday in an alleged scheme that saw political financing and gifts exchanged for lucrative government contracts.

The ex-cabinet minister will face charges of fraud, conspiracy, corruption and breach of trust.

Normandeau, 48, served as a Liberal member of the legislature from 1998 to 2011.

During that time she served as a cabinet minister for various portfolios including municipal affairs, natural resources and Canadian intergovernmental affairs. She served as deputy premier under Charest from 2007 to 2011.

Couillard's opponents have insisted he take more responsibility for what happened under the last Liberal government.

They point out the premier and several members of his team were in office before fundraising rules were changed.

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