Advertisement

Quebec’s economy minister not worried about SNC-Lavalin’s finances

The stock price for SNC-Lavalin has hit a new 14-year low. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Quebec Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon says he is not worried about SNC-Lavalin financially but that he is more concerned about the challenges facing the company’s new management.

SNC-Lavalin announced last Friday disappointing results for its second quarter with a $2.12-billion net loss. The Quebec company was also once again shaken up on the stock market, where its price hit a 14-year low.

Fitzgibbon was reassuring about the financial strength of the engineering giant when asked about it on Monday at a news conference in Montreal.

He pointed out that the sale of part of his stake in Highway 407 in the Greater Toronto Area should allow SNC-Lavalin to add nearly $3 billion to its coffers. It is not known, however, when exactly that will be paid.

Story continues below advertisement

Fitzgibbon was more concerned about the decisions that will be made by the new acting president and CEO Ian L. Edwards.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

He has “enormous work to do to divest himself of operations where there has been too much risk and where there has been poor performance,” said the minister.

WATCH: SNC-Lavalin announces major overhaul, Butts now working with Liberals

Click to play video: 'SNC-Lavalin: Company announces major overhaul, Butts now working with Liberals'
SNC-Lavalin: Company announces major overhaul, Butts now working with Liberals

— With files from Global News’ Kalina Laframboise

Sponsored content

AdChoices