We will soon run out of superlatives to describe the pitiful ineptitude of the Plante-Ollivier administration in handling the excessive spending scandal at the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM). She deserves a “D,” as in resignation.
Thanks to the remarkable work of the investigation office of the Montreal Journal and of I, at TVA, we have learned that the past and present management of the OCPM has no respect for the sound management of public funds. Under the presidency of Dominique Ollivier, today president of the executive committee and great architect of the Montreal budget, and that of her successor, Isabelle Beaulieu, the senior leaders of the OCPM stuffed themselves into the open buffet of public funds. Recurring expenses in restaurants, purchase of sophisticated computer equipment (headphones for $900!), trips around the world for missions of questionable usefulness (Brazil, for a 45-minute panel!): the management of the OCPM did not deprive itself.
Mme Ollivier defended himself in a very clumsy manner, making a cryptic assertion. “Just because expenses are legal and permitted does not mean they are acceptable. I particularly regret that certain expenditures affect the population’s feeling of confidence. I am the first to say that things must change within the OCPM,” she said.
President of the OCPM from 2014 to 2021, Mme Ollivier set the tone for the culture of overspending by being part of the problem. What could be more natural than the orgy continuing after her departure, especially since she had personally retained the services of a former business partner with a questionable past, Guy Grenier, as a collaborator at the OCPM. He was appointed general secretary by Mr.me Beaulieu, last January. The words of the current president of the OCPM are hardly more reassuring. “I don’t think I wasted public funds. I could have made mistakes, I am not perfect,” said Mme Beaulieu.
There is not just a spending problem, but problems of ethics, governance and promiscuity within this organization. The bonds of friendship and business ties between Dominique Ollivier, Isabelle Beaulieu and Guy Grenier form the most disturbing part of this story.
Ethics in the management of public funds and sound governance rules form the foundation on which citizen trust is built. Due to their actions and their clumsy justifications, Dominique Ollivier, Isabelle Beaulieu and Guy Grenier demonstrated that they did not understand or that they trivialized the importance of these questions. Even though they haven’t done anything illegal, they are unworthy of our trust and they should resign.
And the mayor in all this? In this case, like so many others in recent months, she is not living up to the expectations placed on her. Mme Plante relaxes Dominique Ollivier tooth and nail, placing most of the blame on Mme Beaulieu. She even goes so far as to spare her president of the executive committee from an appearance before the finance commission of the City of Montreal. Mme Beaulieu will serve as an underlay on which the Projet Montréal administration will wipe its feet. At least the City’s general auditor will investigate all of the work at the OCPM.
Valérie Plante is failing in her duty of vigilance. Here too, the “D” word applies, but in another sense. The mayor is shedding her responsibilities.