By Canadian Press

Quebec minister for relations with Canada criticized for deleting texts with Ottawa

Jun 9, 2022 | 11:15 AM

Quebec’s minister responsible for relations with Canada is defending her decision to erase text messages between herself and her federal counterpart, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

Sonia LeBel, who is also the chair of Quebec’s Treasury Board, told the legislature she didn’t deliberately delete them as a way to make sure no one would see them.

The disappearance of all LeBel’s text messages with LeBlanc over the past four years was first reported by Radio-Canada, which said texting was the pair’s primary method of communication.

Quebec is trying to be granted more powers from Ottawa, particularly over immigration, and opposition parties in the province say the content of text messages between LeBel and LeBlanc likely touched on sensitive issues. 

Parti Québécois member Véronique Hivon told the legislature she thinks the messages were deleted because they were embarrassing to the government.

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

4h ago

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

4h ago

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

5h ago

Alexandre Leduc, a Québec solidaire member, told reporters he is astonished LeBel didn’t write official letters to LeBlanc in order to leave a record of their correspondence.

“When you’re negotiating new powers for Quebec and it’s only done by text message, that’s a bit shocking,” he said. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2022.

The Canadian Press