Montreal Investigations -- Anything But Dull

We here in the U.S. like to think of Canadians as like us, but better.
More honest, less greedy, more accepting of diversity, etc. And they
pay for it by being dull.<br>
<br>
In the realm of government ethics, this sadly isn't true. At least in
Montreal. According to <a href="http://www.economist.com/world/americas/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13905…; target="”_blank”">a
recent article in <i>The
Economist</i></a>,</span> Montreal was not only notorious for its municipal
graft back in the 40s and 50s, but there are now five ongoing
investigations into suspected fraud, kickbacks, and favors. The
descriptions of the alleged conduct is classic local government
game-playing, focused on contracts and development.<br>
<br>

The mayor's chief of staff allegedly organized the sale of municipal
property for a fraction of its real value to a developer with a record
of tax evasion, bribery, and issuing false bills.<br>
<br>
A contract allegedly was awarded for about three times the amount it
supposedly would have been if properly bid out. The head of the city
council's executive committee at the time went on vacation on the
contractor's yacht and then was given a job with another company owned
by the contractor's owner.<br>
<br>
The mayor, who has not been accused of anything, is getting touchy.
After a local newspaper alleged that a city contractor was shaken down
for a C$40,000 bribe, and called for the mayor to resign, the mayor
said, "It's not up to <span>La Presse</span>
to elect the mayor of Montreal, but the citizens." Yes, but the
citizens seem to need a lot of help.<br>
<br>
Robert Wechsler<br>
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics<br>
<br>
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