The Montreal newspaper, La Presse, is reporting that the Conservative candidate in the riding of St. Bruno-St. Hubert, Nicole Charbonneau Barron, is a member and was a spokesperson for Opus Dei.

This is a very conservative and often secretive group within the Catholic church.

Barron came out defending Opus Dei in 2006 when the Hollywood movie, The Da Vinci Code, was released. She said the movie was a caricature of the order, not based in reality.

La Presse also says the Conservatives were unaware of Barron's affiliation with the group.

Radio-Canada is reporting that Jean-Eric Guindon, a federal Liberal organizer and former candidate in Trois-Rivires is also a member of this group.

There are reportedly 600 members of Opus Dei in Canada. Most of them are concentrated in the Montreal area.

— Emmanuel Marchand