Laval mayor steps down from Hydro board

Gilles Vaillancourt has given into pressure from Quebec's Natural Resources minister, and hastemporarily stepped down from the board of directors at Hydro-Qubec.

Nathalie Normandeau asked the mayor of Laval to quit the board in light of allegations brought against him by two Quebec politicians.

In an exclusive interview with CBC's French-language service, Bloc Qubcois MP Serge Mnard revealed Vaillancourt tried to offer him $10,000 in cash during a provincial byelection campaign in the Laval region in 1993.

Liberal MNA Vincent Auclair shared a similar tale, claiming that in 2002 Vaillancourt tried to give him a white envelope, which he refused.

Vaillancourt has categorically denied the allegations and threatened legal action against both politicians.

Normandeau said given theallegations, Vaillancourt's presence on the board could compromise Hydro-Qubec's reputation among foreign industrial customers.

Last week, the mayor of Laval stepped down from his role as a member of the finances committee at the Quebec Union of Municipalities (UMQ).