Envelopes with white powder sent to federal cabinet ministers : Police

Quebec police are investigating after envelopes of unidentified white powder were sent to the offices of 3 cabinet ministers Thursday.

Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel’s office in the riding of Roberval, about 440 km north of Montreal, was evacuated at about 10 a.m. after an employee found the package.

Lebel wasn’t there, but his press secretary said the minister cancelled an appointment so he could return to the riding.

In a statement, Lebel confirmed his office received a “suspicious package” and that provincial police are handling the investigation.

“These actions are taken very seriously,” Lebel said. “The security of Canadians is a priority for our government. There can be no doubt that we won’t be intimidated.”

A similar package was sent to International Development Minister Christian Paradis’ office in the riding of Thetford Mines, 225 km east of Montreal, and the office of Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney in the Lévis-Bellechasse riding south of Quebec City.

The staffer who opened the package during the lunch hour was taken to hospital as a precaution and the rest of the team left the office.

The constituency office of Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Maxime Bernier also received a suspicious package. The office is located in the Beauce riding about 100 km southeast of Quebec City.

Agencies/Canadajournal