Competition Bureau Lays Additional Criminal Charges Related to Infrastructure Projects in Quebec

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 2, 2014) - Competition Bureau

The Competition Bureau has laid additional criminal charges against one company and one individual in relation to a complex bid-rigging scheme that ensured preferential treatment for a group of contractors seeking to obtain municipal contracts for infrastructure projects. These criminal charges are related to two calls for tender worth nearly $2.5 million issued between January 2008 and December 2009 for an infrastructure repair project and the construction of a water retaining basin in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

Mr. Serge Frégeau and the company B. Frégeau et Fils Inc. were each charged with two counts of bid-rigging under the Competition Act. These charges were laid following a joint investigation by the Sûreté du Québec and the Bureau.

Quick facts

• This is the third set of charges laid in this investigation.

• As a result of this investigation, a total of 77 criminal charges were laid in June 2012 against 11 individuals and nine companies for their role in a collusion scheme, mainly for infrastructure projects in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and surrounding areas. Additional criminal charges were laid in January 2014 against an individual and a company. In total, these contracts are worth over $21 million.

• Bid-rigging is a very serious criminal offence that has a negative impact on all Canadians. It deprives buyers of products and services of the benefits of competitive bidding processes and the resulting competitive prices.

Quote

"Bid-rigging is a serious criminal offence and we are pleased that these charges are now before the courts. We are thankful for the collaboration with our domestic law enforcement counterparts, such as the Sûreté du Québec, as these partnerships help us better fight collusion and corruption in Canada."

Matthew Boswell, Senior Deputy Commissioner of Competition

Associated link

In June 2012, criminal charges were laid against 11 individuals and 9 companies.

In January 2014, additional criminal charges were laid against one individual and one company.

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The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.