PACTE program: Minister FitzGibbon refuses to talk about $ 10.2 million loan to LMPG

Finance Minister Pierre FitzGibbon declined to say whether a loan previously granted to LMPG – or Lumenpulse – on the Provisional Concerned Action Program (PACTE) framework for enterprises needed its approval. As for the guide with the eligibility criteria, it seems to be very thin.

Also read: PACTE Program: QS Wants to See Secret Guide, PQ and PLQ Condemn FitzGibbon

Also read: PACTE Program: Now a Secret Guide

“I will not answer, because you are taking me to another area,” the minister replied, questioning journalists on the role he could play during the $ 10.2 million financial aid payment to the LMPG.

The company has Michelle Ringgute as one of its directors, who is also an agent for Mr FitzGibbon’s Blind Trust.

Like Health Minister Christian Dubey’s spouse, Josie Perrol, he is a second-in-command of the company, of which Power Energy Corporation (Power Corporation) is a majority shareholder.

28 files

Last week, the Auditor General (VG), Gailine Leclerc, thanks to her discretion, revealed that the Finance Minister had authorized at least 10 companies that did not meet PACT’s eligibility criteria for $ 68 million in loans.

FitzGibbon pointed out today that he had to go through 28 files through his ministry to get the greenlight for loans. In recent days, it has become impossible to catch the guide that sets PACTE’s standards.

According to the Finance Minister, for each request, Investment Quebec (IQ) officials must first check whether the company has operations in Quebec, if it is in a precarious situation due to the epidemic. And the possibility of profitability if it has.

For other criteria, Mr FitzGibbon said the IQ depends on the “judgment” of each manager dealing with the files.

“It’s impossible to assume we had any framework or that everything was wall to wall,” he said. Guide, no selection criteria. Choice is the judgment of individuals. ”

The second person does not remember if any of the companies on the VG list contacted him directly to discuss financial assistance.

“It simply came to our notice then. In all cases, they have returned to Investment Quebec, “he assured.

Quebec Solidarity today submitted a resolution demanding that the interior guide be kept public at Salon Blue. Meanwhile, the Liberal Party of Quebec condemned “residivism” and the party’s elastic “policy of the finance minister on Quebecois ethics.

The CAQ blocked this movement.

– In collaboration with Philippe Langlois and Patrick Belleros

What they said

“It simply came to our notice then. In all cases, They were sent back Investment Quebec. “

– Finance Minister Pierre FitzGibbon

“Apparently, Minister FitzGibbon Returns to his maid Old habits Managing CEO State money Like his little one Personal cash register. “

– Ruba Ghazal, responsible for the economy in Quebec Solidair

“He’s scared What? […] I have Doubts, too Called the guide Because created VG started Study loans. “

– Monsieur Derroji, Opposition Spokesman for the Economy

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