Ken Pereira, a whistleblower who exposed spending scandals in FTQ-Construction, claims his life has been severely impacted by retaliation from the FTQ Solidarity Fund, which he alleges influenced his job loss. Currently in a Montreal courtroom, he seeks $3.68 million in damages after being terminated from Cogir due to pressures from the Fund. As he battles for justice, Pereira highlights the systemic intimidation faced by whistleblowers and reveals instances of extravagant spending by union officials.
Whistleblower Ken Pereira Takes a Stand Against FTQ Solidarity Fund
Ken Pereira, the courageous whistleblower who first shed light on the spending scandals within FTQ-Construction, claims his life has been profoundly affected by his revelations. He alleges that the FTQ Solidarity Fund has actively worked to hinder his employment opportunities in Quebec.
The courtroom battle between Pereira and the FTQ Solidarity Fund, alongside his former employer Cogir, kicked off on Monday at the Montreal courthouse. Pereira is seeking a substantial $3.68 million in damages.
Allegations of Intimidation and Job Loss
Pereira asserts that in 2018, the FTQ Fund exerted pressure on Cogir, resulting in his termination from his role as a site superintendent, a direct consequence of his whistleblowing activities concerning misconduct within FTQ-Construction.
Self-representing in court, Pereira provided Judge Chantal Lamarche with a detailed account of the historical context of the union movement, aiming to illustrate the longstanding system of intimidation he claims is orchestrated by both FTQ-Construction and the FTQ Fund. “Why have I been labeled the number one enemy of the FTQ Solidarity Fund? Why is a whistleblower being attacked by its members? Why have I been jobless in Quebec for 11 years?” he passionately questioned during his opening remarks.
Pereira shared his struggle to secure employment in Quebec’s construction sector after his testimony at the Charbonneau Commission in 2013. After a stint in Alberta, he was finally approached by Cogir for a superintendent position in Montreal. However, he soon learned from a company employee that the FTQ Solidarity Fund had pressured Cogir to terminate his employment.
According to Pereira’s lawsuit, a Cogir executive confirmed facing “significant pressures” from the FTQ Fund regarding Pereira’s job status. To support his claims, Pereira recorded conversations with individuals involved, stating, “The only way I can prove something is with a recording.”
During his cross-examination, Pereira admitted that he lacked a formal written contract for his position at Cogir, where he was employed from July 3 to September 7, 2018. Notably, he was the whistleblower who exposed the fraudulent activities of former FTQ-Construction chief Jocelyn Dupuis, who was sentenced to one year in prison. As a key witness at the Charbonneau Commission, Pereira also hinted at FTQ-Construction’s ties to organized crime, with Judge France Charbonneau commending his bravery.
The trial proceedings are set to continue this week, with Éric Boisjoly, the general director of FTQ-Construction, expected to testify.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by whistleblowers within union environments. Just last month, FTQ President Magali Picard was accused by the Professional Federation of Journalists of Quebec for allegedly using “intimidation tactics” against those who reported questionable expenses related to FTQ-Construction leaders.
Our Investigation Bureau recently uncovered troubling instances where union dues were utilized for extravagant expenses, including a $4,500 “team meeting” featuring $55 glasses of scotch and lavish vacations funded by the union. Furthermore, FTQ-Construction has been criticized for providing its executives with new trucks valued at nearly $80,000 for personal use.
In response to ongoing scrutiny, FTQ-Construction has sent a formal notice to our Investigation Bureau, demanding the cessation of articles regarding its expenditures, a move that has also drawn condemnation from journalist associations.