MONTREAL – His name has been dropped over 1,000 times at Quebec’s inquiry into corruption and collusion in the construction industry, and on Tuesday, Bernard Trépanier will finally have a chance to tell his side of the story.
Trépanier, the financing head for Union Montreal until 2006, is the next witness scheduled to appear before Justice France Charbonneau, inquiry officials have confirmed.
He was allegedly a central figure in a system of bid-rigging, kickbacks and illegal party financing that may have spread to some of the highest offices at city hall – including the office of former executive committee chair Frank Zampino.
Several witnesses have testified that Trépanier was given the nickname “Mr. Three Per Cent” because he would ask construction bosses and engineering firm executives for a three per cent “cut” off the top of every municipal contract they won – which he told them would be used to support Union Montreal. In return, the companies were given insider information and allowed to divvy up public works contracts before they even went to tender, the inquiry has heard.
Trépanier has also been accused of asking a handful of large engineering firms for a one-time, $100,000 or $200,000 illegal donation ahead of the 2005 municipal election.
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It’s unclear if all the alleged kickbacks did, in fact, end up in the party’s coffers. The former official agent for Union Montreal and the former general manager of the party have both denied any wrongdoing, claiming the party followed the rules regarding fundraising and never accepted illegal donations of any kind.
Over the past few weeks, the lawyer representing Union Montreal and several witnesses linked to the party have attempted to paint Trépanier as a rogue employee; someone with too much power who abused his position without the knowledge of his superiors.
Trépanier, who until recently was vacationing in Florida, is expected to take the stand shortly before lunch on Tuesday. Parts of his testimony involving the Faubourg Contrecoeur housing project may be subject to a publication ban due to ongoing legal proceedings.
He is expected to be followed by former executive committee head Zampino and former Montreal mayor Gérald Tremblay. The latter has not spoken publicly since leaving city hall last November.
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