$900 headphones, hockey tickets and numerous taxi trips… other questionable expenses at the OCPM

$900 wireless headphones, oversized television screens and furniture, expenses incurred by the president of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) have left several former employees perplexed.

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Even before our Bureau of Investigation discovered the extent of the restaurant outings of OCPM leaders, ex-employees had alerted us to the office expenses of President Isabelle Beaulieu.

“I was told several times that money was not a problem,” said one of them, speaking on condition of anonymity.

According to this source, the leaders of the OCPM are aware that their expenses are not scrutinized by the City of Montreal, which nevertheless provides 100% of the organization’s $3 million annual budget.

Isabelle Beaulieu, for example, equipped the offices with three 85-inch interactive screens, which cost more than $20,000, including the supports.

“I wouldn’t have gone to such dimensions and certainly not to three. It’s not bad equipment. I find the number a little excessive,” says another ex-employee.

These screens are so heavy that a wall had to be solidified so that one could be attached to it. The equipment therefore remained in its box for more than eight months, awaiting work.

$900 headphones

Three sources tell us that the president also purchased wireless headphones costing nearly $900.

“The expense raised many eyebrows. There is no shortage of headphones in the office,” says another ex-employee.

Credit card statements show that there was an $895.66 purchase from Apple in July 2022, exactly the price of the Airpods Max, once taxes are included.

In total, the OCPM has purchased nearly $15,000 worth of Apple brand equipment since 2022.

Prestigious furniture

The current president also embarked last year on refurbishing the Office’s furniture which cost more than $52,000, including a $1,000 chair for her own office.

“I changed tables and chairs in the rooms where we receive our citizens because they had holes and were 20 years old,” Ms.^me Beaulieu in an interview given in January.

“When we are in a slightly more chic building, we are tempted to order newer, more prestigious furniture,” estimates UQAM professor specializing in municipal management Danielle Pillette.

According to her, the OCPM offices should be on an accessible ground floor rather than at 14^e floor of a downtown building.

“This is not consistent with the image that should be given of people who work to consult the population,” judges the professor specializing in municipal management.

• Listen to the interview with Aref Salem, Leader of the Official Opposition at Montreal City Hall via QUB radio :

Great gifts for employees

OCPM leaders are quite generous when it comes to recognizing the contribution of certain employees.

In addition to the $347 birthday meal offered by Dominique Ollivier to Guy Grenier in 2016, we discovered that in the space of a month last year:

• $498 hockey tickets were offered to an employee for his retirement, according to Luc Doray;
• A $400 gift card to the Montreal Opera was given to Mr. Doray for his retirement.

Well-welcomed guests

In addition to spending a lot abroad, the OCPM is also a good host when it receives delegations in Montreal.

In 2022, the Office offered plane tickets to two people from Lyon who came for the OCPM’s 20th anniversary event.

In 2019, a bill of nearly $900 was paid by Luc Doray at Boris Bistro. According to him, it was an evening with around ten representatives of the city of Lyon. “There was certainly wine,” he admits.

Travel spenders

• The former general secretary, Luc Doray, very frequently charged for taxi trips. He spent more than $1,000 in 2022 and even more than $2,200 in 2016.

Mr. Doray assures that they were justified by public consultations in the evening. However, taxi fares were also charged on certain days when he was returning from personal trips.

• On November 14, 2020, he went to the funeral of the father of an employee in Saint-Lin–Laurentides in a car rented at the expense of the OCPM. However, he takes advantage of the vehicle to make an excursion to Dorwin Falls.

“It may not be the idea of ​​the century, but we are not embezzling funds,” he defends himself. We can contest this decision, on an ethical level it’s one thing… but on a financial level it didn’t mean much.”