The Minister of the Economy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, had dinner with Luc Laperrière the very evening of the announcement of a public investment of $98 million in Polycor, even though the Ethics Commissioner recommended that he “maintain a certain distance” with his friend, who obtained two mandates of representation for the company.
• Read also – ‘You’re digging in the trash!’: Fitzgibbon irritated when asked about his relationships
• Read also – Polycor: Québec solidaire challenges the ethics and professional conduct commissioner
• Read also – Fitzgibbon once again evasive about his corporate ties
Asked by The newspaper on this subject last week, the Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon assured that the meal of May 4 had no connection with the investment of Quebec in Polycor.
“Luc Laperrière is a friend,” he said.
“He didn’t even know that Polycor was going [recevoir des fonds de l’État]”, he added.
Polycor CEO Patrick Perus also told the Log that Mr. Laperrière had no role in the government’s investment in Polycor.
“He learned about the transaction after it was signed,” Perus said. He didn’t even know the discussion existed. [entre Polycor et le gouvernement].”
A mandate last fall
That said, Luc Laperrière completed a mandate for Polycor last fall.
Patrick Perus asked Mr. Laperrière to meet Alain Robitaille, CEO of Granicor, a competitor of Polycor. Mr. Perus wanted him to verify Mr. Robitaille’s interest in selling his business to Polycor.
“When you talk to me, it’s like talking directly to Polycor,” said Luc Laperrière to Mr. Robitaille, according to the latter.
“Remuneration is based on success, as a percentage of the sale price, and therefore if we had succeeded in buying Granicor, Luc Laperrière would indeed have received an amount. But since it didn’t work, well, he didn’t get any money,” Patrick Perus explained to the Log.
Recall that in July 2019, Mr. Laperrière met with Minister Fitzgibbon to ask him for government assistance for a Polycor quartz quarry project. The project had not succeeded.
Ethics Commissioner
In October 2020, Ethics Commissioner Ariane Mignolet concluded that Pierre Fitzgibbon violated an article of the National Assembly’s Code of Ethics by discussing investment files, including that of Polycor, with Luc Laperrière.
“The need to maintain a tight boundary between personal relationships and the performance of one’s duties cannot be overemphasized, especially when a person holds a position such as that of Minister of Economy and Innovation. Thus, in order to avoid the risk of a conflict of interest situation, it is necessary to maintain a certain distance with one’s friends, particularly when the areas of professional activity exercised by these people may present a connection. wrote the commissioner.
Shortly after, Prime Minister François Legault scolded Mr. Fitzgibbon.
“He was reckless. He shouldn’t have met his friend because, even if his friend had great plans for Quebec, well, it’s pretty obvious there that it’s easier for a friend to meet a minister than someone one who is not a friend. So there is a problem of fairness,” argued Mr. Legault.
Other mandates
Until the end of May, Luc Laperrière acted as a lobbyist for two companies, Biomoss and Norplex, which sought help from three different ministries: those of Forests, Transport and Culture.
Yesterday, the minister did not want to say if he discussed these files with Mr. Laperrière during the dinner on May 4.
In her October 2020 report, the Ethics Commissioner indicated that in 2019, Luc Laperrière asked Pierre Fitzgibbon to intervene in a lobbying file under the Ministry of Tourism.
THE POLYCOR CASE IN A FEW DATES
July 2019:
Luc Laperrière presents a Polycor quartz quarry project to Pierre Fitzgibbon.
October 2020:
The Lobbyists Commissioner concludes that Pierre Fitzgibbon has placed himself in a situation where his friendship with Luc Laperrière “may influence his independence of judgment”.
Fall 2021:
Luc Laperrière represents Polycor with Granicor.
May 2022:
Pierre Fitzgibbon announces a public investment of $98 million in Polycor.
May 2022:
Lobbyists commissioner begins audits of investment in Polycor, says The duty.
Saidatou Dicko, UQAM
“It still starts to do a lot for the same person. […] When we administer public funds, one of the most important responsibilities we have is not to place ourselves in a situation of conflict of interest.
Denis Saint Martin, Montreal university
“No one thinks Mr Fitzgibbon is corrupt and wants to line his pockets. The problem is that he maintains close social relations with the networks of economic elites who deal with the state.
Michel Seguin, UQAM
“The Minister must demonstrate that he has not been influenced and be attentive to any situation that could raise doubts. […] If that friendship makes people distrust your decisions, you can’t say ‘go for a walk’ because a government has to prove its legitimacy.”
Luc Bernier, University of Ottawa
“Mr. Fitzgibbon doesn’t learn. […] Being a minister presupposes some changes in behavior that he does not seem to have integrated yet.
Donald Riendeau, Executive Director of the Institute for Trust in Organizations
“The reported facts certainly raise a yellow light. Some people will see there an appearance of conflict of interest but that does not mean that there is a breach.