Better causes to support than Nathalie Normandeau's defence fund, Gasp group says

A community organization in the Gasp is asking people in the region to donate money to local aid groups, instead of supporting former deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau.

Normandeau, who representedthe region when she was an MNA,is receiving support from a group in the Gasp who hasstarted a fund to help pay for her legal fees.

She faces charges that include conspiracy, corruption, breach of trust and bribery in relation to the awarding of a contract to build a water-treatment plant inBoisbriand, Que.

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The director of L'Association La Croise, Steve Ouimet, says he doesn't think it is fair to ask people to donate their money to someone who is facing criminal charges.

"I spend half my time searching for funds to keep our services going,"Ouimet said.

"She may have done things for the region during her time in office, but it was her job to do so."

La Croise offers services for people living with physical or mental disabilities in Upper Gasp. Ouimet says organizations across the region are already struggling to stay afloat after cuts to community programs by the current Liberal government.

"We'd need an extra $10M a year to function."

'This is a voluntary fund'

Louis Sexton is a member of the group that is trying to help Normandeau in her legal procedures. He says La Croise is comparing apples and oranges.

"A person can contribute to as many causes as they wish,"Sexton said."This is a voluntary fund, it doesn't mean that people can't help elsewhere."

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Sexton says people in the region spontaneously wanted to help Normandeau because she lost her current job as a radio host after the accusations were laid.

"She did a very good job and people felt she supported the county through thick and thin. It's very expensive having to defend yourself after accusations such as these."

Sexton says while the group strongly believes Normandeau will be found not-guilty, he says there are of course no guarantees.

"We can't predict the outcome, but either way if there's any money left over it will be handed over to community organizations," he said.

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