Anti-corruption Squad to Investigate Allegations Contractor Used MUHC Salt for Private Contracts

The Unité permanente anticorruption (UPAC) will investigate the case of the contractor who uses the salt paid for by the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) for private contracts.

An investigation by the Journal de Montréal discovered that Canbec hired by the MUHC fills its trucks with salt purchased by the hospital with public funds, before spreading it on the private property.

Initially, UPAC will investigate the revelations made by Journal de Montréal to determine whether criminal offenses may have been committed. This year alone according to the CBC, the MUHC purcahsed 3,500 tons of salt for Canbec to use, at a cost of more than $320,000.

Journal de Montréal  reporters spent three days watching Canbec trucks. They said they witnessed the workers picking up salt at the old Royal Victoria Hospital site and using it on a variety of other sites, including a Home Depot in St-Henri.

Two of the other sites where Le Journal de Montréal says the MUHC-purchased salt was used include the LaSalle Ecocentre and the Shriners Hospital. Both locations confirmed to CBC that their contracts with Canbec specifically stipulate that Canbec provides the salt.

Last week MUHC officials said they are planning to meet with Canbec as soon as possible to address any violations that may have occurred with the snow removal contract. Canbec has been hired by the MUHC since 2011.

Union employees representative, Manuel Fernandes said, “If the accusations are founded it will be another example of the risk involved when for profit business are introduced into a public health care system.”

Source Journal de Montréal
Source CBC News