A judge has dismissed former premier Jean Charest’s $700,000 claim against the Quebec government for abuse of process in relation to a corruption investigation targeting him and his party.
The ruling, issued this week in Superior Court, follows last year’s decision to award the former premier $385,000 for invasion of privacy, a ruling that the Quebec government chose not to appeal.
The case stems from leaks to journalists in 2017 regarding an investigation by the province’s anti-corruption police into alleged illegal Liberal party financing during Mr. Charest’s time as premier.
Despite never being charged in the investigation, the former premier claimed that the leaks had damaged his reputation and had a personal impact on him.
Following the $385,000 award in April 2023, Mr. Charest sought an additional $700,000, alleging that the province had used delaying tactics during his invasion of privacy lawsuit and had been abusive throughout the process.
However, Justice Gregory Moore determined that the province had not acted abusively in the case and had not unreasonably delayed responses to document requests.
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Mr. Charest’s spokesperson Laurence Toth stated that the former premier would not be commenting on the ruling.
