The mayor of Saguenay, Julie Dufour, would commit in writing to reimburse her legal costs if she loses her case before the director general of elections of Quebec (DGEQ).
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This is what the president of the Finance Commission, Michel Potvin, said on Friday.
The trial will most likely begin in 2025.
However, even before a final decision is adopted by the executive committee or the municipal council on her request for reimbursement, Julie Dufour is ready to return the sums advanced in the event of a guilty verdict before the DGEQ.
«Mme Dufour is ready to commit in writing to reimburse her costs if she loses, confirmed Michel Potvin. She always spoke to me about it, it was always clear to her, but we had never said it publicly.
“Personally, I’m more of the school that thinks that Mme Dufour should assume his costs and then be reimbursed if necessary,” replied the designated advisor of the ERD, Marc Bouchard.
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When will the first witnesses be called at Julie Dufour’s trial?
A management conference will take place on December 10 at the Chicoutimi courthouse, and by email at TVA Newsthe DGEQ argued that “[…] it is as likely that other hearings due to form are necessary before a date is set.”
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The executive committee was still awaiting, Friday afternoon, the second legal opinion requested on the payment of fees.
“He is a former president of Quebec,” said Michel Potvin, without revealing more.
This jurist will base his opinion on the complete evidence, which would include allegations that occurred after the election of Julie Dufour as head of the city.
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“He has the complete proof, so he can make the best decision in the circumstances,” said the president of the Finance Commission.
“If we have to pay, that’s one thing, but if we can pay, then I think we could submit the question to council,” Mr. Potvin said. And we will have to explain our decision to people.
Julie Dufour will not be required to be present at the management conference on December 10. His not guilty plea will be reiterated by his lawyer, and the trial schedule will be established subsequently.
