Hydro-Quebec executive vice-president Eric Filion will leave
Hydro-Quebec executive vice-president Éric Filion has announced that he will be leaving the crown corporation on Feb. 17.
This is the second departure announcement of a Hydro-Quebec executive in a few weeks.
In a news release published on Hydro-Quebec's website on Tuesday, the man who was also chief operating officer and head of customer experience simply indicated that he wished to embark on a "new chapter in his career."
"I consider myself privileged to have worked for the past seven years with a team that is dedicated on a daily basis to the achievement of Hydro-Québec's core mission and to customer service," Filion also wrote in the release.
OPPOSITION CONCERN ABOUT HYDRO-QUEBEC INDEPENDENCE
In Quebec City, official opposition interim leader Marc Tanguay said he is concerned about the independence of the company's executives.
"You can have the best person as CEO of Hydro-Quebec, but if they don't have a complete plan for development, if they have a Minister [Pierre] Fitzgibbon who is always over their shoulder (...) and then running it like Dollarama? It won't work," he said.
The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) leader said the messages sent by the government regarding Hydro-Quebec projects are contradictory.
"Last week, Fitzgibbon (the Minister of Economy and Energy) said that we won't need a dam if we do so well in the development of two things, wind power and energy efficiency, and then today we learn that there will be a brief submitted by Hydro-Quebec, but we're going to talk about building several dams," said Tanguay. "It takes a vision; it's urgent. And, in the meantime, things are in flux at Hydro-Québec. It's very worrying."
In reaction to Filion's resignation, Quebec Solidaire leader Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois indicated that there is "probably something fishy" in this story.
Nadeau-Dubois reiterated his request to hold an emergency parliamentary commission to hear Sophie Brochu in the national assembly.
"The energy transition, on this I agree with the premier, is the greatest challenge of the next decades in Quebec; it cannot be decided behind closed doors," said Nadeau-Dubois. "We have the right to know what happened at the top of Hydro-Quebec, and we have the right to know what the mission of Hydro-Quebec is. It belongs to Quebecers."
Parti Québécois spokesperson Pascal Bérubé also expressed suspicions about the independence of Hydro-Quebec executives.
"I don't know what Mr. Filion's reasons are, but if people are leaving, they must think they'll be happier elsewhere, and how does the government explain that?" he said. "You have to have a lot of faith in Pierre Fitzgibbon to consider that the sum of the advantages of his actions is greater than the sum of his disadvantages in terms of ethics and the departure of senior executives."
UNCHANGED STRUCTURE
Hydro-Québec's letter stresses that the structure of the organization "remains unchanged."
Régis Tellier, vice-president -- operations and maintenance, and Geneviève Fournier, vice-president -- marketing and customer experience, will report to Sophie Brochu until further notice.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 31, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's relationship with the U.S. needed rebuilding post-Trump says Ambassador Hillman
Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman says the country’s relationship with its American counterparts required rebuilding after the Trump administration.
Biden is coming to Canada: Here's what we know about his visit
U.S. President Joe Biden is coming to Canada Thursday evening, kicking off his short but long-awaited overnight official visit to Canada. Here's what CTV News has confirmed about what will be on the agenda, and what key players are saying about the upcoming visit.
First victim in fatal Old Montreal fire identified as 76-year-old woman
Montreal police have identified the first victim of the deadly fire in Old Montreal last week that has left two dead and five missing. Insp. David Shane said it was a woman named Camille Maheux, who was 76 years old.
WeightWatchers appears set to close dozens of Canadian locations Sunday
WW International appears set to close dozens of its roughly 118 WeightWatchers locations across Canada on March 26 in what may be part of a restructuring strategy.
Canada broke a population growth record in 2022: StatCan
Canada's population grew by more than one million over the course of one calendar year, breaking previous records, a new Statistics Canada report says.
Top 4 quirky consumer complaints received in 2022: BBB
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says it receives tens of thousands of complaints from consumers across Canada each year, but once in a while a "quirky" one will take them by surprise.
What are the predictions for Canada's real estate market this spring?
The Canadian real estate market has been sluggish since last year, when prospective buyers started putting off plans to purchase homes as the Bank of Canada aggressively hiked interest rates eight consecutive times. But realtors see many edging toward a purchase once more.
5 planets will align in an arc across the night sky next week
Sky-gazers will be treated to a parade of planets near the end of month when Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Mars will appear together in the night sky.
U.S. SEC sues Jake Paul, Lindsay Lohan, Soulja Boy, other celebrities over crypto sales
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday sued Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, accusing him and several celebrities of illegally selling crypto securities and scheming to artificially inflate trading volume in crypto assets.
Toronto
-
'I feared for my life': Toronto man shot by police wants bodycam footage of incident released
A Toronto man who was shot multiple times by a police officer while he was walking his dog last month says more could have been done to de-escalate the situation that almost left him dead.
-
Ontario 4-year-old diagnosed with brain tumour after doctors believed it was a virus
An Ontario mother and father say their four-year-old was recently diagnosed with a brain tumour after doctors believed his symptoms were a flu-like virus for months.
-
Ontario to get rid of temporary paid sick days, lift some COVID measures in LTC homes
The Canadian Press has learned that Ontario will not extend its temporary paid sick day program.
Atlantic
-
Transportation Safety Board report on sinking cites lax federal rules on stability
A Transportation Safety Board of Canada report has linked the fatal sinking of a Nova Scotia scallop dragger in 2020 to years of federal inaction on the imposition of stricter stability standards for fishing vessels.
-
Nova Scotia Teachers' Union calls for government action on school violence
Students at a Halifax-area school where two staff members were stabbed Monday returned to class Wednesday afternoon.
-
Weather statements issued in the Maritimes ahead of snow Thursday
Environment Canada has issued special weather statements in the Maritimes ahead of a spring mix of snow and rain arriving Thursday.
London
-
'They can do anything': Richmond Row business owner says she’s not surprised after random act of violence near her restaurant
It is what many people consider a safe space, secure in the confines of their own vehicle, but a stabbing on Richmond Row may have changed that for many. It happened around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon as a driver in a southbound car was waiting for a train to cross Richmond Street, just south of Piccadilly Street.
-
Amidst diversity concerns on the London Police Services Board, a single vacant seat draws 54 applicants
There’s unexpectedly high interest to join the London Police Services Board, but it’s yet to be seen if the upcoming appointment will address the diversity deficit on the oversight committee.
-
Tenant recounts harrowing escape from Aylmer fire
Despite losing nearly everything he owns in a downtown Aylmer fire, Justin Temple says he is fortunate to be alive. Standing in front of the blocked-off remains of the century building he called home until Monday night, he recalled his frantic escape.
Northern Ontario
-
Family sues OPP, others, for more than $2M after woman dies in Sudbury, Ont., jail
The family of a woman who died by suicide in November 2020 while incarcerated at the Sudbury Jail is suing police and other officials for more than $2 million.
-
An abundance of job options at Northern College career fair
Northern College said it hopes the Ontario government will consider funding its trade programs -- this after being left out of a $224 million funding announcement for skilled trade centres.
-
Northern Ont. police find driver unconscious at the wheel, motor running
Ontario Provincial Police responding to a different call March 17 discovered a driver slumped over the wheel in a running parked car on Main Street in the Town of Thessalon.
Calgary
-
Battle between UCP, NDP too close to call as provincial election inches closer: ThinkHQ
A new political poll surveying Albertans ahead of May's provincial election shows a deep divide within the province, with the governing United Conservative Party and Alberta's New Democrats fighting neck and neck for support.
-
Calgary company's hand-dyed yarn sought after by knitters all over the world
A Calgary store is becoming internationally known for its hand-dyed yarn.
-
National Impaired Driving Prevention Week reminds Calgarians to make responsible choices
Family members and close friends of a young Calgary couple killed in a car crash last summer are reminding others to plan ahead and make responsible choices on this National Impaired Driving Prevention Week.
Kitchener
-
Ont.’s police watchdog investigating after Centre Wellington man seriously injured
Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating a crash near Belwood Lake that saw a 43-year-old Centre Wellington man transported to hospital.
-
'I'm going to die': Officer recalls night Beau Baker died
Remembering the night he fatally shot Beau Baker outside a Kitchener apartment on Brybeck Crescent in April 2015, Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) Staff Sgt. Eric Boynton - who was a patrol officer at the time - testified he was worried about Baker killing himself or others.
-
If they don't stop the party, why put up the fence? Waterloo mayor explains Ezra Avenue fencing
For the second year in a row, the City of Waterloo chose to fence off Ezra Avenue for St. Patrick’s Day. For the second year in a row, the party simply shifted a short walk over to Marshall Street.
Vancouver
-
New trial date set for man accused of killing B.C. teen Marissa Shen
A new trial date has been set for a man accused of killing a 13-year-old girl in Burnaby nearly six years ago.
-
Lynx Air announces summer service between Toronto and Kelowna, Hamilton and Vancouver
Budget airline Lynx Air announced it's launching two new routes for the summer, one from Hamilton to Vancouver and one from Toronto to Kelowna, B.C.
-
'He's a unicorn': Canucks star defenceman Hughes continues to grow his game
At 23 years old, Vancouver Canucks star defenseman Quinn Hughes has smashed plenty of records, and he appears poised to continue elevating his game.
Edmonton
-
'We are a natural gas province': Smith says Alberta needs power plants, not wind and solar
Alberta's premier assured a ballroom of rural leaders Wednesday that she does not want to see the province move away from electricity generated from fossil fuels, while complaining about solar panels covering farm land.
-
EPS announces death of constable
The Edmonton Police Service announced the death of an officer on Tuesday.
-
'He's helped me': Oilers' Bouchard blossoming since arrival of new partner Ekholm
Getting more power play time with some of the best hockey players on the planet has certainly helped but Evan Bouchard also credited a new teammate Wednesday for his recent resurgence.
Windsor
-
Car strikes home in LaSalle, driver in serious condition
A LaSalle man is in serious condition and facing an impaired driving charge after a car collided with an attached garage of a home, according to police.
-
Missing 32-year-old Windsor woman sought by police
Windsor police are asking for help finding a missing 32-year-old woman.
-
Wanted man turns himself in to Windsor Police
A wanted suspect has turned himself in to Windsor, Ont. police following an investigation into an incident where a gun was allegedly fired in a home in the city’s east end last month.
Regina
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Sask. projects $1B surplus, will use cash to pay debt instead of further funding boosts
Saskatchewan is projecting a $1 billion surplus in the coming year and plans to spend just as much in paying down the province's debt.
-
Sask. finance minister cautions against using surplus to fund overburdened health system
Saskatchewan’s healthcare spending will rise to record levels in the 2023-24 provincial budget but, after adjusting for inflation, critics say the boost is weaker than advertised.
-
Funding for distance learning, capital projects included in record $3.1B education budget
The Government of Saskatchewan is committing over $20 million for online learning as part of its record $3.1 billion education budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Ottawa
-
Sutcliffe not ruling out public funding for new Senators arena
As the sale of the Ottawa Senators heats up, the city's mayor isn't ruling out public funding for a new downtown arena for the team.
-
Here are the road closures to expect when U.S. President Biden visits Ottawa
The city of Ottawa has released its list of road closures for the presidential motorcade and visit, starting Thursday when Biden arrives and ending Friday night after his departure.
-
OC Transpo warning riders it does not offer unmarked rideshare services
If you're waiting for an OC Transpo bus, and someone drives up in an unmarked vehicle claiming to be OC Transpo, don't get in the car. That's the warning from OC Transpo after someone reported a bizarre incident.
Saskatoon
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Sask. projects $1B surplus, will use cash to pay debt instead of further funding boosts
Saskatchewan is projecting a $1 billion surplus in the coming year and plans to spend just as much in paying down the province's debt.
-
Funding for distance learning, capital projects included in record $3.1B education budget
The Government of Saskatchewan is committing over $20 million for online learning as part of its record $3.1 billion education budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
-
Sask. finance minister cautions against using surplus to fund overburdened health system
Saskatchewan’s healthcare spending will rise to record levels in the 2023-24 provincial budget but, after adjusting for inflation, critics say the boost is weaker than advertised.