PQ candidate Guy Leclair arrested on drunk driving charges

A candidate for the Parti Qubcois was arrested in July in a parking lot in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and charged with drunk driving, Radio-Canada has learned.

Guy Leclair is the incumbentMNAinthe riding of Beauharnois, in the Montrgie region.

According to Radio-Canada, Leclairwas arrested on July 13 while he was sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle with the engine running.

Police suspected he had been drinking and asked him to take a breathalyzer test, which he apparently refused to do.

His driver's licence wassuspended for 90 days, and he received a summons to appear in court at a later date.

He is expected to face a charge of driving under the influence.

Leclair disputes policeversion of events

Radio-Canada spoke late Tuesday to Leclair, who said the policeversion of events is not accurate.

Leclair confirmed he was arrested in July in a parking lotbut said he never refused to take a breathalyzer test. He said he blew twice into the machine and said some statements in the police report arewrong,

Radio-Canada says PQ officialscontacted Tuesdayafternoon were unaware of Leclair's arrest.

However, PQ LeaderJean-FranoisLisesaid Leclair told him 10 days ago about the incident.

"He called me saying, 'Something very strange happened.'He maintains his innocence. He does not understand why the police officer has the version of events that he has," Lisetold reporters late Tuesday afternoon.

"I was very happy that he confided in me, and he said, 'Listen, there are still no charges. He is confident he will win the case if it comes to that. So we will wait for the facts and see what happens."

Lisesaid Leclairwill stay on as a candidate.

"He has not been convicted of anything. The presumption of innocence applies."

Leclair has a previous conviction for drunk driving, dating back to 2011. At the time, he was fined $2,000, andhis licence was suspended for a year.

Leclair was first elected to the National Assembly in 2008, and in 2015 he was named official opposition spokesperson for matters relating to labour and pension plans.

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