In spite of a past reputation for violence and intimidation, harmony has largely returned to construction sites, Hydro Quebec official Réal Laporte told the Charbonneau Commission Wednesday.
Things weren’t always as rosy, Laporte noted.
Ninety-six intimidation-related complaints were recorded from the La Romaine site alone in June 2013, leading to 93 dismissals, Laporte testified at the commission hearings.
Those dismissed included not only workers but also contractors, he noted.
The Quebec electrical monopoly has a dedicated squad policing its ethics code, rules of conduct which it recently extended to entrepreneurs it does business with, with a zero tolerance policy in place.
Laporte said that disruption was so severe at the Toulnoustouc construction site in 2004-05 that work was shut down until order was restored following complaints of intimidation.
The La Romaine project also suffered similar issues when it opened.
Laporte also said that Hydro Quebec makes an effort to hire local workers but said he does not favour a quota-based hiring system.
Laporte joined Hydro Quebec in 1988 and took charge of the James Bay project in 2005. He was also appointed to lead the Shared Services department in 2010.
