October 26, 2009
Poll shows majority of Quebecers want construction scandal inquiry
But politicians still resist calls for a probe
MONTREAL
A pollster says there is a strong consensus among Quebecers for a public inquiry into links between politicians, the Mafia, and the construction industry.
Leger Marketing says 76 per cent of respondents to an online poll indicated support for an inquiry, while only 17 per cent did not. The web-based survey comes with federal, provincial, and municipal politicians resisting calls for a probe. Quebec has been rocked by reports that Mob-linked construction companies have repeatedly colluded to drive up the price of projects.
Mafia experts say the practice exists elsewhere in Canada, and is particularly worrisome now that Ottawa and the provinces are embarking on the most expensive infrastructure program in Canadian history.
The Quebec government says it’s too early to talk about an inquiry and that police should be allowed to do their work. The province was expected to announce it will create a new police squad specializing in the construction industry.
-Canadian Press
RELATED STORIES
| MOST POPULAR STORIES |
- Four companies short-listed to renovate London, Ontario hospital
- Delcan to provide enegineering services for Highway 407 extension
- Hamilton water treatment plant stays in service during rebuilding operation
- Plenty of work ahead as Ontario construction-site safety blitz ends
- Construction, engineering companies mergers increased in Q2: Report
- 20 Most Popular Stories
| TODAY’S TOP CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS |
These projects have been selected from 263 projects with a total value of $8,919,878,049 that Reed Construction Data Building Reports reported on yesterday.
$120,000,000 Ottawa ON Negotiated
CONDOMINIUM APARTMENT BUILDING
$120,000,000 Toronto ON Negotiated
$50,000,000 Ottawa ON Prebid
| CURRENT STORIES |
- Ground broken on Halifax RCMP headquarters
- Fanshawe College’s new Centre for Applied Transportation Technologies goes green
- Vanbots continues work on York University Life Sciences Building in Toronto
- Manitoba introduces new farm building code
- Heavy rains wash away bridges to Nova Scotia fishing village
- South Korea calls for financial safety net
- Jobsite safety a shared duty: Mechanical Contractors Association
- New technology could help find Jimmy Hoffa: Study
- Crane operator certification deadline looms in British Columbia
- High-tech oil sands project near Fort McMurray, Alberta could change industry
- Saskatoon bridge closed indefinitely over structural concerns
- City of Regina project turns up all sorts of surprises
- Awareness about qualifications-based selection lacking: Survey
- Canadian Institute of Steel Construction launches Steel Day
- Saskatchewan bridge collapses, causing crane to topple
- Crane tips over, killing worker and injuring two
- Saskatoon man pulled from hole at construction site
- Churchill airport gets government cash for infrastructure upgrades
- Stantec acquires health care architectural firm
| ALEX’S ECONOMICS BLOG |

Reed Construction Data Chief Economist Alex Carrick discusses current developments in the North American economic environment with emphasis on the construction industry.
- Canada’s construction starts in a transition phase (August 27, 2010)
- U.S. initial jobless claims rise to half a million again (August 19, 2010)
- It’s been 35 years since institutional construction starts as strong (August 6, 2010)
- More










