Quebec's anti-collusion head takes break

The head of Quebec's anti-collusion squad has requested, and been granted, a temporary leave from his duties.

Jacques Duchesneau has been investigating allegations of corruption and collusion in the province's construction industry.

On Tuesday, he met with Robert Lafrenire, the head of the province's larger, permanent anti-corruption unit, Radio-Canada has learned.

Duchesneau requested a break of several weeks, which Lafrenire granted.

News of Duchesneau's temporary leave came the same day as Premier Jean Charest appeared to further relax his resistance to a public inquiry into the corruption allegations.

Addressing reporters while on a business trip in France, Charest said the government is seriously examining Duchesneau's recommendation that a public inquiry be held.

Charest said if an inquiry is called, it cannot interfere with a police investigation and must protect whistleblowers as well as victims.

He said the implications of a public or private inquiry must also be weighed.

"The government will take the time to assess each choice," he said Thursday.

Last week, Duchesneau said an inquiry into alleged corruption in the province's construction industry was urgent.

In testimony before a provincial committee,Duchesneau said the industry is rife with ties to organized crime, threats, intimidation and fraud.

Charest initiallyresisted calls for a public inquiry, saying he was confident the police investigation and other measures would address the problem. But public security minister Robert Dutil has now said that criminal investigations are not enough.

"We don't yet have the solution, but we are looking for a solution that takes into account the public interest," he told reporters Thursday.

Dutil did not elaborate on what that means, but the opposition PartiQubcois said it wants assurances allegations of shady political financing linked to the awarding of roadwork contracts are part of any probe.

Hiring legislation for construction sites

Meanwhile, Quebec's labour minister, Lise Thriault, introduced legislation Thursday that aims to change the way workers on large construction sites are hired. The bill seeks to end the practice that allows workers to be selected by unions instead of by employers.

The new law will also force unions to open their books, making corrupt practices easier to detect.