Quebec government won’t play favourites with blacklisted companies

MONTREAL – The Quebec government says it will not play favourites with companies that have been blacklisted by the province’s securities regulators for implication in corruption scandals.

The comment comes after it was announced that Dessau Inc., a major engineering firm, has been denied access to public contracts by the Autorite des marches financiers on advice of the province’s police anti-corruption squad.

Treasury Board president Stephane Bedard says a company can appeal the decertification if it shows it is rehabilitating itself to the satisfaction the Autorite.

Under the province’s anti-corruption law, the provincial government has 60 days to overrule the decision.

Bedard says the provincial government will support any efforts by a company to set things right but will not be satisfied with cosmetic measures.

He notes that blacklisted companies that have uncompleted work can apply to finish their job with their expenses being monitored by the Autorite.

Dessau, a major Quebec firm, and affiliate Verreault Construction will not be eligible for public contracts until June 19, 2018.

The Montreal-based firm, which has 5,000 employees, counts public works as a major part of its work.