By Canadian Press

Former premier Jean Charest suing Quebec government for $1M over investigation leaks

Oct 9, 2020 | 12:21 PM

MONTREAL — Former Quebec premier Jean Charest is suing the Quebec government for violation of his privacy in connection with a police anti-corruption investigation.

The lawsuit filed Friday in Montreal seeks $1 million in punitive damages and $50,000 in moral damages.

Charest says in a statement that in recent years, confidential information about him and his family has been leaked to the media.

He blames the leaks on the province’s anti-corruption police unit, which has conducted an investigation into provincial Liberal party financing while Charest was premier.

He says the leaks were illegal and obstructed justice.

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The former premier says he was prepared to forego legal action in exchange for an apology from the government and was also ready to go to mediation to reach a settlement, but he says his proposals were refused.

“It is with reluctance that I am filing a lawsuit against the government of Quebec today for violation of my privacy,” Charest said in the statement.

Charest said he will not comment further as the matter is now before the courts.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2020. 

The Canadian Press