Fitzgibbon responded to a journalist on Facebook, demanding an apology from the FPJQ

Journalist Francis Hallin wanted to know why the Minister of Finance, Innovation and Energy did not wait until the end of his ministerial mandate to announce the donation, if he believed such a gesture had been sent. Wrong message to other universities and can he interview him on this matter.

Screenshots of the email in support, Pierre Fitzgibbon wrote in his post, (new window), There were questions This level represents the questions we also often receive from journalists.

” Too often, Quebecers don’t see the aggressiveness and bad faith of these questions every day, often asked by the same press group. Commissioned missions often take precedence over serious and rigorous journalism. »

The FPJQ Mr Fitzgibbon has been asked to retract his publication and publicly apologize to the journalist in question.

According to the FPJQ, a threatening gesture

The FPJQ Québécour Media defended the journalistic approach.

” Mr. Due to Fitzgibbon’s ethical background, the FPJQ A journalist also feels justified in asking questions about the actions of a politician and his colleagues. »

Answer by Pierre Fitzgibbon The fact that he directly names Mr. Hallin in his post is threateningRead our press release FPJQ.

This behavior may also Intimidate some less experienced journalists who will refrain from asking questions rather than face comparable treatment on social media in the futureadd FPJQ.

Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon warned that investigations “will have others”, confident that an investigation by the Ethics Commissioner will reveal no wrongdoing.

The role of journalists is to ask questions. Although Mr Fitzgibbon does not like the public to see his actions, as a minister with a moral background, it is normal for journalists to search files and ask legitimate questions.The vice-president of the for his part condemned FPJQEric-Pierre Champagne.

The group representing press officers from the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) said the publication, as well as Education Minister Bernard Drainville — himself sharing from the media world — added to the intimidating nature of the process. Journalists.

FPJQ recalls that Mr. Drainville undertook Fight against all kinds of threats When he took over as minister.

Personally targeting a journalist on social networks is problematic from a minister and above all, it should not be encouraged by his colleagues and political affiliations of his party.Eric-Pierre Champagne says.

Mr. Champagne is entitled to question reports about Pierre Fitzgibbon, but he is However, it is highly unusual for a minister to openly say that he does not like the questions put to him and publicly relay these questions. liked In social networks.

to escape The language of wood

AlthoughMinister Fitzgibbon concluded in his publication, I try to answer the questions as directly as possible, without using “wooden language”..

Economy, Innovation and Energy Minister, Pierre Fitzgibbon, during a press scrum in the National Assembly, focused on the Ethics Commissioner’s recent investigation into poaching in Eastri.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Sylvain Roy Roussel

He also added a response his communications director sent to the journalist in question:

The minister believes that his donation will send a good message to all universities. They understand that the minister’s gift sends a signal to potential donors and that his gift can complement other major gifts at all universities. Academia understands that graduates typically donate to the universities they attended.

reaction of Montreal Journal

Editor of the Journal de Montreal, Danny Doucet, Mr. Fitzgibbon responded to the minister in a text published on Friday, December 16, the day after publication.

” Here’s a little reminder for Pierre Fitzgibbon, Quebec’s Minister of Finance, Innovation and Energy: In a democracy like ours, the media’s role is to monitor the enormous powers that citizens delegate to institutions, especially the government that spends their tax money. . »

He addsAn elected official, and a minister, cannot shirk his responsibilities to render accounts to the population, which entrusts him with mandate and powers..

The Montreal Journal On December 8, 2022, according to information provided to the Commissioner for Ethics, a member of Terrebonne broadcast a report on a pheasant hunting party involved in an island whose owner benefits from subsidies from the Economic Development Fund, initiating an investigation. The sixth is about Pierre Fitzgibbon.

I think so The Journal of Montreal A commission of inquiry must be asked by members of the Parti Québécois. […] My personal life is mine. Not because of that Montreal Journal That I am losing myself without seeing the good knowledge that I haveMr. Fitzgibbon responded.