FitzGibbon once again escaped about his corporate relationships

A day after announcing a $ 98 million investment in Polycor with its CEO, Patrick Perus, Finance Minister Pierre FitzGibbon was vague on his recent acquisition with the company.

Also read: Major financial assistance: Investment of approximately $ 100 million in Polycor

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“Ethically, there is always the benefit of being transparent in demonstrating the legitimacy of a transaction,” said Michelle Segwin, a professor and ethics expert at UQAM.

On Wednesday, Finance Minister Pierre FitzGibbon announced an equity investment in Polycor for “maintaining jobs and company headquarters in Quebec”.

Later, on the committee, he referred to Polycor CEO Patrick Perse as “45 seconds”, “two or three months ago”.

“Mr. Perus called me four times and said: ” Can you imagine Investment Quebec? [IQ] Is it possible to invest in society? ” He asked in response to a question from Liberal MP Mark Tangwe.

Was Mr. Perce registered in the lobbyists’ registry before making this call? Asked yesterday NewspaperThe minister’s office and Polycore did not give an exact date or details of the phone call.

“Investment was directly negotiated between Birch Hill and Investment Quebec (IQ) teams. There was no direct discussion with the minister on the matter, ”Polycore assured via email.

“I heard about the possibility of investing in IQ Polycor because it is a big process with an investment bank. IQ contacted Polycore directly because the company was successful in Quebec and they wanted Quebec Capital to be involved in the transaction as well as Polycore Management, ”he said.

Lobbying activities?

Yesterday afternoon, there was no active order in the registry of Polycor lobbyists, nor did its president Patrick Perse. Newspaper Why there was no response from Polycore.

However, if a company is proven to be lobbying, it is required by law to register with the Quebec Register for Transparency, it recalled in an interview. Log Lobbying Commissioner Jean-Franకోois Routhier.

The commissioner reminded the deadlines in the law not to slap the police.

“There is lobbying when you communicate with a public office holder to influence decision making,” he explained.

“In the case of business or company lobbyists, the initial deadline to register is 60 days after the activity,” he explained.

At LogJean-Franకోois Routhier said that after an investigation by his organization, lobbyists who register late will be responsible for the prosecution.

– In collaboration with Philip Langlois

White Star In Paris, Immersion in Las Vegas Or even a Summer meeting with his confidant Mitchell Ringout at the time… This is not the first time Pierre FitzGibbon’s personal relationships have raised questions.