Longtime Quebec politician under police investigation, Couillard’s office says

QUEBEC — The Quebec premier’s office is confirming that a longtime cabinet minister is under police investigation.

In a statement Thursday, Premier Philippe Couillard says Pierre Paradis has been replaced as agriculture minister by Laurent Lessard.

The 66-year-old Paradis, who has represented the riding of Brome-Missisquoi since 1980, has also been kicked out of the Liberal caucus.

A source told The Canadian Press on Thursday that Couillard was informed about an incident involving Paradis when the premier was attending the Davos economic summit last Friday.