Is it possible to run a major construction company in Quebec without having any questionable ties?
According to the head of the masonry firm L.M. Sauve, it isn't.
Paul Sauve has written a book called L'Industrie de la Corruption, The Corruption Industry, about his experiences with his own construction firm and his experiences with the Surete du Quebec.
He first ran into problems seven years ago while trying to expand.
"We applied for an equity loan, and soon came to realize that some of the suggestions made by -- of certain presences on our board and other trade members had ties with criminal organizations. So we had to clean that up and bow out of this funding request," said Sauve.
He ended up having to go to police to extricate his company from organized crime.
"Our sites got taken over literally, craning companies and whatnot that were involved with some of our sites," said Sauve.
However Sauve does not think the Charbonneau inquiry into corruption will change the province.
"We're going to treat consequences rather than causes," said Sauve.
His solution? Change labour laws to create a more competitive workplace.
"Change law R-20. Change the labour law that exists," said Sauve. "Look at the all the instruments that we have that make that the prices so high in this province and put your hand to it."
For the full interview click the video player to the right.
