Competitors were warned of ‘attacks’
According to a report by Montreal’s inspector general released Monday, certain sectors were considered “historically” the domain of certain contractors. Other contractors would not bid in those areas. Contractors would meet in restaurants or discuss over the phone which sectors they would bid on, and how much. They were called “non-aggression pacts.” Some contractors paid their competitors between $20,000 and $50,000 not to bid on their contracts. Other contractors would visit their competitors to convince them not to bid, or face “attacks.”
Those who bid on a competitor’s territory risked having irate contractors putting in lowball bids in their sectors and losing their habitual contracts, called getting “attacked.” Threats of violence, including “getting hit by a hammer in the head,” “getting seriously beat up,” or to “having their legs broken,” were made. Witnesses also mentioned that some contractors had ties to organized crime and the Mafia. As part of its investigation, the inspector general’s department interviewed more than 60 contractors.
Contractors that worked in snow dumps moving snow reported having their rented machines vandalized with items like concrete blocks, steel sheets and mattresses hidden in snow. Since the snow had previously been collected by snowblowers, the contractors said the damaging items must have been placed there on purpose.
The inspector general noted that one contract was granted at a cost of $28.95 a linear metre in 2006. In 2011, the same contract was awarded at $16.35. “It is therefore important that the boroughs remain vigilant when this sort of situation presents itself and nothing justifies such a variance in price,” the inspector general said.