Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon on Thursday admitted that the criteria were “elastic” in awarding 10 controversial loans to companies, which drew criticism from Quebec Auditor General Guylaine Leclerc last week.
Ms. Leclerc was particularly concerned that she had been unable to obtain the criteria which allowed Mr. Fitzgibbon to use his discretion and which benefited companies that were not eligible for an investment program. aid put in place due to the effects of the pandemic.
According to Investissement Québec, these ten companies were supported because they played a strategic role for the Quebec economy.
In a brief exchange with The duty before question period, Mr. Fitzgibbon admitted that “strategic is a very broad word”. The minister also said he was involved in the decision to determine that these companies were strategic.
“It is collectively [que ça s’est fait], he said. They are the ones who made the recommendation. Strategic is a word that is very elastic. Me, we determined, that it was necessary to pass a judgment. “
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