It was impossible to even make bids on public projects in Laval without being threatened by other players in a corrupt system said the latest witness at the Charbonneau Inquiry.
Construction entrepreneur Pierre Allard is the owner of a small construction firm that tried to work in Laval, but was quickly swept up and strong-armed by other construction companies.
Allard said his company had no difficulty bidding and winning on public contracts, but problems began when he decided to bid on on public-private contract to connect water mains and sewers in a housing development to the municipal network.
He was almost immediately told by an insider "Don't be surprised if you're told not to bother, or that you're told to pay someone."
Very soon, according to Allard, a Normand Trudel from Mascouche phoned Allard and warned him that someone else wanted the asphalt contract part of the job.
That was followed by a phone call from someone calling themselves Mr. Lavallée who wanted not just an asphalt subcontract, but the entire contract -- because it was his turn.
Lavallée said he was clearly told that in Laval, every company gets their turn, and there was no way an outsider from Mascouche could win a contract, but he would get favours if he played along.
Allard refused, and said he would bid as he saw fit -- prompting Lavallée to warn that his friends would be disappointed.
Stephane Giroux is reporting on the commission.
