Could this happen in Ontario?
Urban road/bridge construction costs 46% more to build in Quebec than the rest of Canada.
As a frequent visitor to Montreal I am well aware of the dire state of their road, bridge and other core civil infrastructure. Deteriorating concrete – much of it placed during Expo 67 – on overpasses, culverts, sidewalks etc. can be seen everywhere. The road construction industry in Quebec will be busy for decades.
Despite the volume of anticipated contracts it is alleged that the Mafia controls 80 per cent of contracts doled out in road construction. The control centres around an alleged price-fixing scheme among a small group of companies, dubbed by some the Fabulous 14.
Circumstantial evidence supports the allegation. Quebec road construction and maintenance is vastly more expensive than anywhere else in Canada, according to Transport Canada. One kilometre of road cost 37 per cent more to build in Quebec in 2008 than the average cost for the rest of the country, according to the study. Urban roads cost 46 per cent more to build in Quebec, while rural roads cost 26 per cent more.
RoadMap: Full Story – The Globe and Mail National – Montreal Mafia controls 80% of road contracts whistleblower says….
CentreLine: Municipalities in Ontario need to be diligent in managing their contracts. This type of alleged activity does not stop at Provincial boundries.