It was the turn on Wednesday of the president of the company Idéale Énergie Gaz Propane, Éric Pagé, to testify before the Régie du bâtiment du Québec. The company supplied propane to André Vachon’s facilities, where the explosion occurred in Val-des-Sources last July.
Éric Pagé explained that he knew Mr. Vachon by reputation. It was André Vachon who contacted Idéale Énergie Gaz Propane to find out if there was an interest in supplying propane. The initial agreement agreed on a price per litre, but without delivery frequency.
Éric Pagé specified that the deliveries took place mainly at the home of André Vachon, in the courtyard, according to the clearance rules. If necessary, deliveries to André Vachon’s customers could take place.
In his testimony, Éric Pagé said he was surprised to learn that André Vachon was transferring propane at his home. He took it for granted that André Vachon was exchanging an empty tank for a full one. According to Éric Pagé, there was no indication that there were such filling operations on site. He noted the absence of hoses, pumps, lying tanks or posters.
Ideale Énergie Gaz Propane wants to obtain its operating permit, but the Régie du bâtiment is against it. Éric Pagé says he finds it unfortunate that the sustainability of his company’s activities is determined solely on the Val-des-Sources event. A compliance department has been set up to prevent such a situation from happening again.
In cross-examination, counsel for the Régie insisted on the method of delivery and on the fact that Ideal Propane had been aware since the start of the agreement that André Vachon was a reseller.
The arguments of the lawyers in the file will take place Thursday afternoon.