MONTREAL - The Quebec government calls its new anti-corruption squad the first of its kind in Canada.

The province announced a new unit modelled on New York City's Department of Investigation.

The squad will have 189 employees — including police, prosecutors and staff devoted entirely to fighting corruption.

About half its $31.5-million budget will cover existing efforts; the new squad will take in the 101 people working on the $15-million police investigation called Operation Hammer.