Politicians react to Cloutier's explosive Charbonneau testimony

Veteran political organizer Gilles Cloutiersexplosive allegationsthat up to 90 per cent of political campaign funding at the municipal level is illegal touched off a firestorm of reactions today.

Cloutier, who began his long career working for Maurice Duplessis in 1950s, took the stand today at the Charbonneau commission.

His testimony touched on a number of allegations about political misdeeds, including illegal fundraising for the "No" side in the 1995 referendum.

He said thousands of undeclared dollars were spent on massive billboards reading "No, thank you" for the anti-separation camp.

Bernard Drainville, the Parti Qubcois minister responsible for democratic institutions and active citizenship, said it confirmed his suspicions.

"We had proof of that after the Grenier report, which showed that the hundreds of thousands of dollars transited through Option Canada," he said.

"Now we have further proof, by Mr. Cloutier's testimony, that the No camp tried to steal the referendum of 1995."

But Jean-Franois Lise advised caution in convicting people based on testimony heard at the Charbonneau commission.

"Lets be prudent with these testimonies. Lets wait for corroboration, lets wait for [cross-examination]," he said.

Cloutier's allegations not surprising

In his testimony, Cloutier alleged that companies covertly funnelled money to political parties by gettingemployees and their families to make donations as individuals and then reimbursing them with company funds.

Jacques Duchesneau, whose internal report on corruption in the construction industry played a major role in the launching of the Charbonneau commission, agreed with Cloutiers assessment that 90 per cent of municipal political funding is illegal.

"Im not surprised at all. In fact, I mentioned 70 per cent was illegal funds. Actually, it seems like about 90 per cent at the municipal levelI just made a mistake," Duchesneau said.

"Was there willful blindness? I think that there was," he added.

Official Opposition leader Jean-Marc Fournier said giving more powerto the Chief Electoral Officer (DGE) to look into campaign budgets and financingwould be one way to curb this kind of behaviour in the future.