SNC-Lavalin to reimburse Quebec municipalities, agencies for ill-gotten gains

SNC-Lavalin says it will reimburse Quebecmunicipalities and agencies an undisclosed amount of money to settlecontracts it obtained through fraudulent acts.

The provincial government launched a program last November thatgave companies and individuals two years to repay voluntarily fundsthey received through ill-gotten contracts dating back to 1996.

Top SNC-Lavalin executives testified before the Charbonneaucorruption inquiry that the company illegally donated money toprovincial and municipal political parties to obtain work contracts.

Following an internal investigation, the Montreal-based firm saysit will submit proposals in the coming days for fraudulent contractsrelating to work in Montreal, Laval, Quebec City and Saint-Cyprienin the Lower St. Lawrence.

Other municipalities or public bodies that feel wronged canpresent evidence as to why they should obtain restitution.

In its news release, SNC-Lavalin makes no mention of provincialcontracts.

The company's proposals and the response of the municipalitieswill be evaluated by retired judge Franois Rolland.
Under the reimbursement program, companies repay 20 per cent ofthe value of their contracts plus a 10 per cent administrativecharge.

SNC-Lavalin says the proposed penalties it is willing to pay willremain confidential, although a final amount recovered by allparticipants will be disclosed in early 2018.