CAQ star candidate Jacques Duchesneau makes first apparent gaffe

Jacques Duchesneau's candidacy for the third-ranked Coalition Avenir Québec in Sept. 4 provincial election is seen by some as a potential game-changer.

With Premier Jean Charest's Liberal government under attack for its handling of university tuition protests and corruption, and the fractious Parti Quebecois winning few friends for beating the sovereignty drum, the CAQ's chances of making gains seemed boosted by the tough-talking, corruption-fighting former cop.

But a day after his candidacy in the riding of Saint-Jerome was announced Sunday, the former Montreal police chief and head of the province's anti-collusion unit made what some are seeing as his first apparent campaign gaffe.

In a radio interview Monday morning, Duchesneau said he'd be deputy premier and suggested he'd be the force behind CAQ leader Francois Legault.

"There is no question that I will not be a deputy premier like those we have seen for the past 30 years, where it's more of a symbolic function," Duchesneau told interviewer Paul Arcand on 98.5 FM radio, according to the Toronto Star.

Duchesneau said he would be responsible for the four ministries the CAQ will target in its fight against corruption — transport, natural resources, municipal affairs and public safety — and that his power would extend "to the possibility of naming ministers."

"On top of that, I will be responsible for the fight against corruption. I'm sort of the orchestra conductor," he said.

Legault quickly whipped his star candidate into place.

"There will be only one boss," said Legault at a news conference.

Legault said he told Duchesneau he would consult him on the four ministries in question, but that it is the prerogative of the premier to name cabinet ministers, adding one of his aides has now explained this to Duchesneau.

Last year, Duchesneau leaked to the media his unit's report linking Quebec politicians to money from province's construction sector and organized crime, forcing Charest to set up the Charbonneau Commission. He has long been seen as a larger-than-life maverick.

The Globe and Mail noted that in Monday's radio interview, Duchesneau referred to himself as the "chef d'orchestre" or conductor of the CAQ's anti-corruption effort.

Officially announcing his candidacy Sunday, Duchesneau said he'd hired two lawyers to investigate the CAQ to ensure its hands were clean. Usually, it's the candidates who are screened, the Globe noted.

The CAQ, whose leader is a former PQ cabinet minister who says he wants to shelve the sovereignty debate for at least a decade, is hoping disenchantment with the Liberals and PQ will draw voters to his moderate position.

Charest was quick to jump on Duchesneau's comments.

"If I understand correctly, François Legault will run the Twitter account and organize cocktail fundraisers, while Jacques Duchesneau will run the rest of the government," Charest quipped.

PQ leader Paulin Marois said Duchesneau's ego is turning into a serious problem for Legault and shows the CAQ isn't ready to govern, the Globe reported.

"What is going on right now isn't very serious. It is total improvisation," Marois said. "It is amateurish and it is also a lack of understanding of how government works."