Guilty Pleas in Quebec Sewer Services Cartel

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 22, 2012) - The Competition Bureau announced that, earlier this week, Colmatec Inc. and its operations director, Rénald Drouin, have pleaded guilty for their role in the conspiracy to rig bids to obtain municipal contracts for specialized sewer services in the province of Quebec. Colmatec has agreed to pay a fine of $50,000 and is subject to a court order. Rénald Drouin has agreed to perform 100 hours of community service and is subject to probation for a period of two years.

Pursuant to the Competition Bureau investigation, criminal charges were laid by the Director of Public Prosecution on November 22, 2011 against six companies and five individuals accused of rigging bids for 37 municipal and provincial sewer services calls for tender worth over $3 million. See the Bureau's original backgrounder for information on the investigation, a list of the accused and the calls for tender.

The Bureau's investigation benefited from cooperation under the Bureau's Immunity and Leniency Programs, which create incentives for parties to address their criminal liability by cooperating with the Bureau in its ongoing investigation and prosecution of other alleged cartel participants.

The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.

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