Quebec Premier Jean Charest testifies during an inquiry into alleged influence peddling in judicial appointments in in Quebec City on Sept. 24, 2010.MATHIEU BELANGER/Reuters
Quebec Premier Jean Charest has decided to postpone a trip to France next week in order to be in the National Assembly on Wednesday when the opposition will try to bring down his government.
Mr. Charest's Liberals are all but certain of defeating the Parti Québécois censure motion, given that they hold a majority of six seats in the Quebec legislature.
But the Premier is involved in one of the biggest fights of his political life as the province is rocked by a series of allegations of wrongdoing in municipal politics and publicly funded construction projects.
While he's increasingly isolated in his refusal to call a public inquiry into the matter, Mr. Charest decided to be in the National Assembly next week to defend his record and his position.
"I find it deplorable that the PQ opposition chose to table a censure motion at the exact moment that this important mission was to take place," Mr. Charest said, adding that he was nonetheless delaying his departure.
"I consider it important that I be able not just to vote, but also to participate in the debate," he said.
The Liberal Party of Quebec is insisting that police investigations are nearing completion and that when charges are laid, the population will understand that the best way to clean up the province is to put corrupt businesspeople and political officials behind bars.
But the opposition PQ insists that its confidence motion will only be pulled if Mr. Charest relents to outside pressure and launches a public inquiry. Almost all major actors in Quebec's public life are in favour of such an inquiry, including unions and municipal officials.
"Quebec is paralyzed, people are angry and they are truly fed up," said PQ Leader Pauline Marois. "If Mr. Charest revises his position and decides to hold a public inquiry, only then will we withdraw the motion."
Despite the last-minute change in plans, Mr. Charest is still scheduled to meet French Prime Minister François Fillon on Friday. Some of the other events on his French tour will be rescheduled, while the provincial minister of international relations, Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, will replace the Premier at other meetings.