Premier Jean Charest has no intention of removing legendary hockey player Guy Lafleur from the Order of Qu�bec.
Lafleur was convicted last Friday of giving contradictory testimony in court.
In a report published Saturday in La Presse, the director general of the Order of Qu�bec said a committee is studying Lafleur's file, with the intention of making a recommendation to Charest.
Suzanne Moffat said it is rare that a person is expelled from the order, but if a member is convicted of a crime, there are guidelines in place that allow for dismissal.
She added that the committee will wait until the former star player for the Montreal Canadiens is sentenced on June 18, before submitting its recommendation.
Hugo D'Amours, a spokesperson for Charest, confirmed Saturday afternoon that the premier only learned of the committee's plans after reading the article.
He said the premier did not support the idea of stripping Lafleur of his status.
D'Amours said Charest believes Lafleur has made an important contribution to Quebec society as a hockey player, and should not be judged solely on his recent troubles with the law.
Lafleur has been a member of the Order of Qu�bec since 2005. He has also been a member of the Order of Canada and the Hockey Hall of Fame since 1988.
Misleading the court
Lafleur's recent conviction stems from a September 2007 bail hearing for his son, Mark. The younger Lafleur had been charged with uttering death threats, forcible confinement and assault.
Lafleur assured the court his son had respected a court-ordered curfew.
But at a hearing the next month, it was revealed that Lafleur in fact drove his son to a hotel twice so he could spend private time with his 16-year-old girlfriend.
With files from the Canadian Press
