A secret witness made more stunning allegations at the Charbonneau Commission Monday, stating that the real evidence of collusion in the awarding of public contracts concerns Hydro-Quebec.
The retired engineer was called as the commission seeks to determine the scope of influence peddling among certain engineering firms.
Investigating Hydro-Quebec was part of their mandate, but time is short. Public hearings end next week, and in September, the commission is set to hear recommendations.
If what the witness says is true, however, the commission could be missing a major chunk of why it was initially created.
The witness was asked several times how the millions of dollars his firm spent on political contributions translated into actual favours and contracts for engineers.
The witness surprised everyone when he said it's not that obvious at the government level, and that the real benefits of influence peddling and corruption is more likely to be found at Hydro-Quebec, the government-controlled utility.
He said the real backroom deals took place in public corporations like Hydro-Quebec, where the provincial auditor general has no control.
The witness went further than any previous witness in linking political donations with the awarding of contracts to engineering firms.
He gave the example of Gaspé and other towns in eastern Quebec, where his access to privileged information from the staff of former cabinet minister Nathalie Normandeau played a major role in the awarding of contracts.
He said he gained such access through political fundraisers.
