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QUEBEC CITY — Quebec’s opposition party called on the Legault government Thursday to stop funding for Éduc’alcool.
Suspecting a conflict of interest, the Liberals are calling for a parliamentary commission to investigate the “independence and financing” of the organization.
The controversy follows a debate launched by the Liberals calling for administrative sanctions for those caught driving with between 50 and 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, as is the case in other provinces.
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Éduc’alcool opposed the measure, as did Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault.
In his letter asking for an initiative mandate to the parliamentary commission of transportation and environment, Liberal MNA Monsef Derraji wrote that Éduc’alcool’s position is explained by its funding formula, which is based on the amount of alcohol sold in Quebec, collected by the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ).
“This creates an obvious conflict of interest and raises big ethical questions, because any reduction of alcohol consumption in Quebec comes with a negative financial impact for Éduc’alcool,” Derraji wrote.
“Many Quebecers falsely believe that this organization has an awareness-raising mission anchored in public health,” he continued, “but that is not the reality.”
The letter asks that SAQ president Jacques Farcy be called before a commission, alongside Guilbault and Finance Minister Eric Girard.
Éduc’alcool, a 35-year-old organization, says on its website that it is independent with a mandate to “help the Quebec population make clear choices around reasonable consumption of alcohol.”
It says it aims to be recognized, accepted and sustained in Quebec as a credible and independent authority.
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