Deadline approaches for Quebec companies to repay collusion cash

The window is closing for companies suspected of being involvedin collusion to take part in Quebec's voluntary repayment program.

The Quebec government launched the program about a year ago to recover money from companies that have defrauded taxpayers on public contracts over the past two decades.

Enterprises and individuals have until Nov. 1 tofile a notice of intention to repaywith the provincial body.

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FranoisRolland, the director of theVoluntary Reimbursement Program, said he's pleased with the results of the program so far.

A total of eight companies, including SNC-Lavalin,Dessau and Construction Frank Cataniaand AssociatesInc.,have already stated publicly their intention to take part.

Rolland said thecompanies that don'tparticipate in the voluntary recovery program are open to lawsuits and could face stiff penalties.

"The directors of these companies are personally liable," he added.

"So if I werea director, and I was there at the time and they don't settle, I wouldn't sleep that well."

Under a law passed unanimously in the National Assembly in March2015, companies thatdo not come forward with the cash could also be refused the right to bid on future contracts with Montreal.

Once the program ends in November 2017, all the companies thatparticipated will be made public.