Preliminary hearing for ex-Quebec deputy premier could last six weeks: lawyers

QUEBEC — The preliminary hearing for former Quebec deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau and her co-accused on fraud charges could last up to six weeks, lawyers in the case said Wednesday.

Normandeau and six others are charged with conspiracy, corruption, breach of trust and fraud.

Police allege they were involved in a scheme in which political financing and gifts were exchanged for lucrative government contracts between 2000 and 2012.

Crown and defence lawyers proposed the timeline in a Quebec City courtroom Wednesday, although the judge in the case said he was surprised the process could not be completed in four weeks.

Judge Jean-Louis Lemay said he wants the case to move forward as quickly as possible.

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He is expected to set a date for the preliminary hearing when the case returns to court Oct. 14.

The seven accused were arrested in mid-March and have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In July, lawyers for Normandeau told a judge they intend to argue at the hearing there isn’t enough evidence to justify a trial.

Normandeau was a member of the legislature between 1998 and 2011 and held various cabinet portfolios as well as being deputy premier between 2007 and 2011.

After leaving politics, she began co-hosting a radio show in the provincial capital but was let go shortly after her arrest.

Normandeau was later rehired as a host for another Quebec City radio station in early September.

On her first day of work the ex-cabinet minister ripped up her membership for the provincial Liberal party after a directive from Premier Philippe Couillard to his cabinet ministers to not appear on her show.

Normandeau also told listeners she never committed any criminal act.

The Canadian Press