Charest defends public security minister

Quebec Premier Jean Charest defended Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis on Monday, amid questions about his dealings with a security company at the centre of the firing of the province's family minister.

On Friday, media reports suggested Dupuis may have played a role in helping the president of the Canadian Bureau of Investigations obtain an authorization to carry a restricted or prohibited weapon.

According to newspaper La Presse, CBIA president Luigi Coretti was introduced to Dupuis by former family minister Tony Tomassi after Coretti's request had been turned down by provincial police.

Dupuis acknowledged having met with Coretti at his riding office but denied having intervened on his behalf, the paper said. Instead, Dupuis said, he referred Coretti to his chief of staff, who was asked to listen to his request but told not to put any pressure on provincial police.

Eventually, Coretti was granted a temporary renewable permit, the paper said, quoting former employees of the company who said Coretti wore his weapon on a regular basis.

Dupuis was clear on the fact that he did not get personally involved in the situation, Charest told reporters in Trois-Rivires on Monday. Coretti later hired a lawyer and pursued the issue himself, Charest said.

Charest said Dupuis's track record has proven that the minister avoids interfering in judicial affairs.

Charest fired Tomassi last Thursday after he said he learned the minister had used a CBIA credit card for personal expenses.