The opposition parties are concerned about the appearance of favoritism caused by the large number of contracts awarded by mutual agreement since the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) came to power.
Liberal leader Dominique Anglade expressed concern on Tuesday that $17 billion in public contracts were awarded without competitive bidding.
“The reason why we call for tenders is so that there is no favouritism, she said at a press conference. It is to ensure that the basic rules of good governance, sound governance are respected. »
This decision to award so many voluntary contracts raises important management questions, underlines the Liberal leader.
“The question of favoritism will arise, of course, declared Ms. Anglade. Because why was one company chosen and not another? Of course, this question is raised. »
Since the election of the Coalition avenir Québec in 2018, the government has awarded more contracts without calls for tenders than its Liberal predecessors, noted The Journal of Quebec, who put the value at $17 billion.
Since the entry into force of the health emergency law, the government has exceptional powers which exempt it from the systematic use of calls for tenders, which has prompted the opposition to demand for months a return to normal .
Québec solidaire MNA Vincent Marissal believes that the opacity surrounding the granting of these contracts without calls for tenders contributes to an appearance of favouritism.
“I think it’s just less of a hassle to function the same way, not have to be accountable, and then give contracts to people you know,” he said.
For his part, PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon felt that the government gives the impression of having something to hide by maintaining the state of health emergency.
“A government that has been clinging to this point, for months, to governance by decree to award contracts without a call for tenders, it is very worrying when we know that there are contracts sent to friends and then contracts sent to bogus companies,” he said.
Further details will follow.