Quebec Labour Minister Sam Hamad said he intends to get to the bottom of allegations of intimidation at the Hydro-Quebec Romaine River project, and has sent four additional inspectors to the site.
"They are doing their job jointly with the Surete du Quebec. There is no place for intimidation, no place for discrimination," said Hamad from Quebec City Tuesday, adding he plans to weed out "bad apples."
Hamad said he has so far received ten complaints from workers and has urged anyone with a complaint on the $6.5 billion North-Shore project to inform police.
Labour union the FTQ responded Tuesday, saying the union is not involved with violent or intimidating behaviour.
Bernard Gauthier, business agent for the FTQ heavy equipment operators, defended the union's practices.
Known as "Rambo," Gauthier said he'd angered some workers when he forced them to stop drinking and change their negative work attitudes.
While voices get raised on job sites, he said there has never been any bullying.
"As long as there's no violence or intimidation the rest doesn't matter," said Gauthier.
Meantime, protestors have been blocking access to the Hydro-Québec Romaine River project.
Resources Minister Nathalie Normandeau said she will move quickly to stop them.
"We can't allow a $6.5 billion job site to close," she said.
