Training by Sophie Brochu: Hydro CEO’s spouse benefits from sales

Hydro-Québec CEO Sophie Brochu said the training provided at L’Effet A generated nearly $50,000 in sales at her husband’s company. News magazine.

Tuesday, News magazine Revealed that Hydro-Québec’s No. 1 training provider Volunteer at L’Effet A to help women in business.

However, L’Effet A is owned by the private company Medias O’Dandy, whose majority shareholder is Sophie Brochu’s spouse John Gallagher.

Sophie Brochu recently sold 70 training courses at $695 each, which netted her company $48,650.

Rules of ethics

Although Hydro-Québec’s code of ethics stipulates that an official “must not, directly or indirectly, use the attributes inherent in his position for his own benefit or for the benefit of a third party,” the state corporation believes that everything has. Done in order.

“When she took up her position at Hydro-Québec, Sophie made sure that the situation was brought to the attention of the High Employment Secretariat. “Sophie’s connection to Effect A through her spouse is intrinsic to all declarations of interest in the position she occupies,” assures Philippe Archbault, Head of Media and Government Affairs at Hydro-Québec.

“Together with the Chair of our Board of Directors, Sophie implemented the regime so that in her role as CEO of Hydro-Québec, she would not take any decision or orientation in favor of the A effect. Decisions for this file were made by the President of the Board of Directors”, he added.

Asked if there was a link between M^me The institution of Brochu and his spouse was considered before the training was valid, the secretariat for higher employment did not respond. Log Before publication.

Public disgrace

For her part, Isabelle Marquis, general manager of L’Effet A, argued that the relationship between Sophie Brochu and John Gallagher was known to the public.

“For me, it’s continuity. It’s revealed and opened. It’s not hidden that Sophie and John are a couple. Everything was done according to the rules of art,” underlined the woman who heads the company with thirty employees.

But experts consulted News magazine are more complex.

“If her spouse’s company can directly or indirectly benefit from this, it is Sophie Brochu’s fault,” said Robert Pouliot, a teacher at ESG-UQAM.

Ivan Tchotourian, a law professor and governance expert at Laval University, concludes.

– In collaboration with Mary Christine Trottier