Sam Hamad quitting Quebec cabinet over ethics allegations

Veteran Quebec politician Sam Hamad gave up his cabinet post and privileges Thursday, but his gesture did nothing to calm opposition parties, who continued to ask that he be banished from the Liberal caucus for an alleged ethical breach.

Hamad’s integrity was called into question last week by a Radio-Canada report which suggested his name turned up in a series of emails sent by Liberal fundraiser and former cabinet minister Marc-Yvan Coté — who’s now facing fraud charges.

Hamad had stepped down as Treasury Board President last week, but kept the bonus pay and other privileges that ministers are entitled to.

“I hope this does not become a distraction. I am forced to admit I have become one. That is why I have decided to step down from all functions aside from being the MNA for Louis-Hebert, without any other functions,” Hamad said in a brief seven-minute statement to reporters in Quebec City.

He didn’t take reporter’s questions.

Last week, he went on a much-criticized trip to Florida, which he says was an emotional reaction to having his integrity attacked.

“I was angry and anger is a bad advisor,” said Hamad. “I understand the indignation of the population, but I assure you that was not my intention.”

An ethics investigation is underway into the email scandal. The Radio-Canada report claims the emails implied that he was working on behalf of Côté’s firm, called Premier Tech, to get them a government contract.

Sam Hamad insists he did nothing unethical, and resolved to fight to clear his name.

On Wednesday, premier Philippe Couillard insisted Hamad could have been “more prudent, certainly when it comes to matters of lobbyism.”

Agencies/Canadajournal