Ex- construction boss says he fundraised to win contract

MONTREAL — A crime- linked Quebec construction boss says he organized a political fundraiser to cosy up to powerful politicians before winning a provincial contract.

Paul Sauve told the province’s corruption inquiry he was worried he’d lose a contract to renovate Montreal’s St. James United Church after the Liberals took office in 2003.

The project was awaiting $ 2 million in grants, guaranteed by the previous Parti Quebecois government, and Sauve testified he was worried things might be scrubbed by the new administration because he was perceived to be closer to the PQ.

He said he acted on advice from a contact at the BCP communications firm and built ties to the Liberals. He said he contacted about 15 to 17 people for a $ 1,000- a- ticket restaurant fundraiser for then- municipal affairs minister Jean- Marc Fournier.

Fournier has since worked for the federal Liberals and is now the acting head of the provincial party in the legislature because Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard does not have a seat.

Fournier held an evening news conference after a publication plan on details of Sauve’s testimony was lifted late Thursday.

He categorically denied any link between the fundraiser and the contract going to Sauve. He also challenged the PQ to explain the extensive donations it had received from Sauve.

Sauve’s company, LM Sauve, was eventually overtaken by the Hells Angels and went bankrupt.

He also organized a fundraiser for the federal Conservative party in 2009, months after winning a lucrative contract from Public Works to renovate Parliament’s West Block.