The lead counsel who resigned from the Bastarache Commission after being caught in a maelstrom that raised doubts over his impartiality “deeply regrets” missing the opportunity to leave at the twilight of his career his imprimatur on the inquiry into alleged political interference in the nomination of judges.
Barely a week after being appointed as the chief prosecutor by former Supreme Court justice Michel Bastarache, Quebec City lawyer Pierre Cimon bitterly submitted his resignation after becoming the target of intense scrutiny from the media and opposition in the legislature following revelations that he had regularly contributed to the Quebec Liberal Party. Between 2002 and 2007, Cimon made five donations ranging from $250 to $500 – far less than what he gives to the Barreau du Québec’s Foundation or his local parish.
“I donate to the local parish even though I am not a churchgoer,” said Cimon. “I donate because I believe churches play an important social role. It doesn’t mean that I practice and believe in the church’s dogma or agree with Cardinal Marc Ouellet’s position that abortion should be criminalized. The same holds true for the donations I made to the Liberals. I am a federalist, and that was the only place I could donate.”