The Quebec government has announced a full public inquiry into freedom of the press and the police surveillance of journalists.
Justice Minister Stephanie Vallee says a panel of experts will be convened and will have all the powers typically given to a commission of inquiry — including being able to compel witnesses to testify.
The province's largest police forces have admitted this week to monitoring the phones of several journalists.
Vallee and Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux made the inquiry announcement today in Quebec City.
It comes on the heels of Premier Philippe Couillard's decision earlier this week to set up a committee of experts to look into the surveillance of journalists in the wake of revelations Montreal police kept tabs on the iPhone of La Presse reporter and CJAD 800 contributor Patrick Lagacé, and a handful of others.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that the Sûreté du Quebec had warrants to tap the phones of at least six more reporters — including Éric Thibault of the Journal de Montreal, Denis Lessard of La Presse, and Marie-Maude Denis, Alain Gravel, Isabelle Richer of Radio Canada, and gangster specialist André Cédilot.
The main goal of the police surveillance, apparently, was to detect media leaks within the police force.