Fitzgibbon responded to a journalist on Facebook, saying the FPJQ was apologizing

Journalist Francis Hallin wanted to know why the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy did not wait until the end of his ministerial mandate to announce the donation. Wrong message Can you give him an interview for other universities and in this case?

Screenshots of the email in support, writes Pierre Fitzgibbon in his release (new window) That was the questions received We also represent the most frequent questions we receive from journalists of this stature.

” Often, Quebecers don’t see the aggression and bad faith of these questions on a daily basis, often asked by the same press team. Commissioned work often took precedence over serious and rigorous journalism. »

The FPJQ Mr. Fitzgibbon called for a retraction of his publication and a public apology to the journalist in question.

An intimidating gesture, according to the FPJQ

The FPJQ Quebecor supported the media journalist’s approach.

” Mr. Due to Fitzgibbon’s ethical background, The FPJQ A journalist considers it reasonable to question the actions of a politician and his colleagues. »

Answer by Pierre Fitzgibbon In his post, Mr. Directly naming Hallin is tantamount to bullyingRead the press release FPJQ.

This behavior can also Intimidate some less-experienced journalists who avoid asking questions rather than face comparable treatment on social media in the future.Add FPJQ.

Minister Pierre Ftizgibbon, who is adamant that there is no wrongdoing on his part in the Ethics Commissioner’s investigation, warns that the investigations “will be different”.

Asking questions is a journalist’s job. Mr. Fitzgibbon, as a minister with a background in ethics, said it was normal for journalists to search files and ask reasonable questions, even if he didn’t want people looking at his actions.The Vice President condemned his role FPJQEric-Pierre Champagne.

The press officers of the Alliance Avenir Quebec (CAQ) and Education Minister Bernard Trinville – the delegation said – have added to the threat of sharing the process, which has also been released from the media world. Journalists.

FPJQ Mr. Reminds me of Drainville Fight against all forms of bullying When he took office as minister.

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

Mr. Champagne added that Pierre Fitzgibbon was entitled to question the reports about him, but he However, it is very unusual to see a minister publicly say that he does not like the questions being asked. Like it In social networks.

to avoid The language of the tree

HoweverMinister Fitzgibbon concludes in his release, I try to answer the questions as directly as possible, without using “wooden language”..

The Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, during a press scrum in the National Assembly, which focused mainly on the recent investigation by the Ethics Commissioner through hunting in Estrie.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Sylvain Roy Roussel

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

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

reaction Montreal Journal

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

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

He adds thatAn elected official, much less a minister, cannot shirk his duties of rendering accounts to the population, which gives him a mandate and powers..

The Montreal Journal According to information provided to the ethics commissioner, on December 8, 2022, the member for Terrebonne broadcast a report about a pheasant hunting party that took part in an island. opened an investigation. The sixth concerns Pier Fitzgibbon.

I think so The Journal of Montreal A commission of inquiry must be heard through members of the Parti Québécois. […] My personal life is mine. It is not due Montreal Journal That I am going to lose my good senseMr. Fitzgibbon replied.