The office of Minister Marie-Ève Proulx is the subject of a formal complaint of psychological harassment at work, in the wake of allegations of a toxic climate in its entourage, the QMI Agency has learned.
This is indicated by a file filed with the Administrative Labor Tribunal, opened last August.
The employee at the source of the complaint, Christian Picard, was notably director of the constituency offices of Côte-du-Sud, in Chaudière-Appalaches. The file also mentions a complaint relating to his dismissal.
It was not possible to know on Wednesday the details of the complaints against the office of the elected Caquist, the lawyer of Mr. Picard having refused to answer our questions.
However, it should be remembered that in February 2020, our Parliamentary Bureau reported a toxic climate in the entourage of the Minister for Regional Economic Development. Fourteen employees had quit or been fired in as many months. A source said that the minister had “no respect for her employees.”
To explain these departures, the Minister then indicated that she wanted to “surround herself with people of confidence and the most appropriate and competent team”. Prime Minister François Legault’s office declined to comment.
Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister withdrew Ms. Proulx’s post of minister responsible for the Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands, preferring Jonatan Julien to her. He also appointed Lucie Lecours to the post of Minister for the Economy to “support” Ms. Proulx.
The Tribunal’s first hearing is set for April 9. However, it is possible that an agreement between the parties no longer requires a hearing to be held on that date.
–
