Pubdate: Wed, 19 Oct 2005
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2005, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Rheal Seguin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

LANDRY BREAKS SILENCE ON BOISCLAIR'S COKE USE

QUEBEC -- The political career of Andre Boisclair, the front-runner in the 
Parti Quebecois leadership race, could have come to an abrupt end had 
former leader Bernard Landry known he had taken cocaine.

"It would have been an extremely serious matter," Mr. Landry told reporters 
as he prepared to deliver a speech to Laval University students yesterday. 
"I would have asked for an investigation. I would have had to be informed 
of the facts and I would have made a decision based on the facts."

It was the first time the former leader, who resigned this past June, has 
spoken about Mr. Boisclair's cocaine use.

His comments come just as the party prepares for an all-candidates debate 
tonight on sovereignty.

This past month, Mr. Boisclair, 39, admitted having taken cocaine in 1997 
when he was a minister in the PQ government led by premier Lucien Bouchard.

"Nothing like that happened when I was premier," Mr. Landry said. "It was a 
rumour. What took place happened under Lucien Bouchard."

Mr. Bouchard was premier from 1996 to 2001 and was replaced by Mr. Landry, 
who held the position until the PQ's defeat in 2003.

Mr. Landry said that after he became premier, he would have acted promptly 
had he known a minister was using cocaine.

"I would have asked for an investigation on the circumstances, the ways and 
means and number of times of this and that," Mr. Landry said.

"As premier I would have taken all the necessary measures. . . . but all 
that is theoretical."

Mr. Landry has refused to say publicly which of the nine candidates he 
supports. Many among his former staff back Mr. Boisclair, and it was widely 
believed that Mr. Landry also did.

Mr. Landry said the news media were right to report Mr. Boisclair's cocaine 
use and that he will not attempt to direct PQ members in their choice of a 
new leader.

Mr. Landry's comments appear to signal a desire to distance himself from 
Mr. Boisclair just as rumours about the candidate's lifestyle begin to 
undermine his leadership credentials.

The former leader still appeared bitter toward Pauline Marois, the other 
leading contender in the race, who has been accused of mounting the charge 
against Mr. Landry's leadership.

He said Ms. Marois was wrong to say she is having problems attracting 
support due to her gender. "Quebec is an advanced society when it comes to 
dealing with the equality between men and women. So I don't think it should 
be taken into account," he said.

Mr. Landry said there were probably other reasons Ms. Marois's campaign is 
in difficulty.

"You don't judge someone based on his or her sex or sexual orientation or 
religion but through factors that are profoundly related to the abilities 
of a person," Mr. Landry said.
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