The head of Quebec's cultural development agency is defiantly defending his travel expenses and has refused to step down, even after the premier suggested he's in no position to finish his mandate.

Returning from the Cannes Film Festival Friday morning, Jean-Guy Chaput told reporters in Montreal he had no intention of resigning from his post as president of the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), despite a scathing report from Quebec's auditor general, who described his travel expenses as "sumptuous."

"I didn't defraud anyone," Chaput said in French. "I didn't skim funds."

Auditor General Renaud Lachance tabled a report Thursday afternoon on SODEC's expenditures in which he pointed the finger at Chaput for using taxpayers' money to lead a life filled with first-class travel, stays in chic international hotels and meals in the finest restaurants.

Chaput said SODEC administrators signed off on all his expenses, and he did nothing wrong.

"I've been president [of SODEC] for five years, and I've been going to the same hotel for five years," he said. "My predecessor went there. The [culture] minister was there, and so was her deputy minister."

Premier Jean Charest said Chaput's mandate — set to expire in October — will not be renewed, but the government can't force the SODEC president to leave his post early.

Still, the premier expressed some doubt about Chaput's ability to finish his mandate given the circumstances.

"Given [his] reality, everyone has a duty to assume his or her responsibilities," Charest said in French.

"Mr. Chaput should have the chance to explain himself to his board of directors. We should offer him that chance, and then we'll see what decision they'll take.

"But in a context like this one, it seems obvious that it will be hard for Mr. Chaput to continue as president, when he knows it won't be renewed, and that he no longer has [the government's ] trust."