Quebec MNAs will refuse radio interviews with Nathalie Normandeau

Quebec's political parties don't agree on much, but they have agreed to blacklist Nathalie Normandeau, the former Liberal deputy premier who is facing a slew of corruption charges.

Normandeauwas working as a radio host when she was arrested in March. Sheis slated to return to the airwaves this fall, hosting a program on theQuebec CitystationBLVD 102.1.

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But in a remarkable show of unity, every party in the National Assembly has, over the past 12 hours, declared it will not grant interviews to Normandeau.Not even last session'sgun registry billhad unanimous support.

"We want to avoid our members getting themselves in a situation where they could interfere with a legal process,"said Charles Robert, a spokesman for Premier Philippe Couillard.

Robertsaid LiberalMNAswould still be able to speak with other journalists fromBLVD. Theparty won't object with interview clips being played on Normandeau's show, simply the prospect of MNAsspeaking with her directly.

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Opposition joinsNormandeau blacklist

Parti Qubcoisinterim leaderSylvain Gaudreaultcirculated an email to his caucus Tuesday night, instructing them not to grant interviews to Normandeau.

A spokesperson for theCoalition Avenir Qubec'scaucus said a similar directive was issued within its ranks.

"We believe in the presumption of innocence but Ms. Normandeaucurrently doesn't have the credibility to talk politics with CAQ MNAs,"Emilie Toussaint told Radio-Canada.

Quebec Solidaire'sAmir Khadiralso said the party won't be giving interviews to Normandeau. Khadirsuggestedthoughthathe would reconsiderif she agreed to discuss corruption during Liberal Premier Jean Charest's mandate.

New low infall from grace

Normandeau's outcast status is a further revolution in thestunning turn of fortunes for someone who wasonce among the most powerful politicians in Quebec City.

Normandeauheld several different cabinet portfolios in Charest's governments, including acting as his second-in-command.

But she is now chargedwithconspiracy, corruption, breach of trust and bribery for incidents that allegedly took place while she was a minister.

• Nathalie Normandeau: Rise and fall of a political star

Shortly after her arrest, Normandeau was fired byCogecoMedia, where she co-hosted a popular French-language programonFM 93.

She is now suing Cogeco for$772,500, claimingwrongful dismissal. Her new radio program is scheduled to beginairing Sept. 6.