Former PQ leader André Boisclair arrested in Quebec City after midnight car crash
The 51-year-old crashed into lamppost, may face charges including impaired driving
Former Parti Québécois leader André Boisclair has confirmed he was arrested in Quebec City early Thursday morning after crashing his vehicle into a lamppost.
"I was indeed arrested last night for having driven my car while being under the influence of alcohol," said a post on Boisclair's Facebook page, which was published Thursday evening.
"I made a big mistake and I am deeply sorry and I will now have to face the consequences," the post went on in French.
"My only consolation is that the situation I caused did not affect anyone else."
Several charges possible
At the time of the arrest, Quebec City police would not name the suspect but confirmed that a 51-year-old man was detained just after midnight in the Saint-Roch district after crashing his vehicle into a lamppost on St-Joseph Street.
Charges could include:
- Impaired driving.
- Refusal to take a breathalyzer test.
- Obstruction of justice.
- Intimidation of a member of the justice system.
Shortly before noon Thursday, Boisclair was seen leaving Quebec City police headquarters.
He was released with a promise to appear in court on Feb. 15, 2018.
Former <a href="https://twitter.com/partiquebecois?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@partiquebecois</a> leader André Boisclair leaving the Quebec City police station Thursday morning; he could face several charges, including impaired driving and obstructing justice. <a href="https://t.co/Yybldnl2hU">https://t.co/Yybldnl2hU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/polqc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#polqc</a> <a href="https://t.co/gFOdrAsueQ">pic.twitter.com/gFOdrAsueQ</a>
—@JuliaBPageReactions at National Assembly
Several of Boisclair's former colleagues at the National Assembly refused to comment on his arrest.
Others were cautious. PQ MNA Maka Kotto said he didn't know Boisclair very well but was disappointed to hear the news.
The Coalition Avenir Québec's Éric Caire said the judicial process has to follow its course.
"Mr. Boisclair, like every other Quebec citizen, must obey the law."
Amir Khadir from Québec Solidaire said it was an unfortunate event but also a private matter.
"It can happen to anyone, but you'd expect better coming from someone who has sat at the National Assembly," Khadir said.
Political career
Boisclair was first elected to the National Assembly in 1989 in Montreal's Gouin riding, becoming the youngest MNA in history.
He served as cabinet minister under Quebec premiers Lucien Bouchard and Bernard Landry, and was PQ leader from 2005 to 2007.
In 2005, Boisclair admitted to using cocaine in the 1990s when he was a Quebec provincial cabinet minister. He said at the time that he no longer used drugs.
Boisclair is currently the president and director-general of the Institut de développement urbain du Québec. The institute declined to comment on Boisclair's arrest on Thursday.
With files from Julia Page