$1 Million fine imposed in Montreal area snow removal conspiracy

OTTAWA, October 24, 2000 - The Competition Bureau announced today that the Quebec Superior Court has imposed a $1 million fine on five snow removal companies and a consulting firm in the Greater Montreal area. The companies were charged with conspiracy. The Court also issued a 10 year prohibition order requiring each of the companies and their executives to comply with the Competition Act. The six companies pleaded guilty to the charge on August 30, 2000. Following the guilty pleas, Madam Justice Claire Barrette Joncas of the Superior Court of Quebec reserved her decision on sentencing until today.

La Cie de pavage d'asphalte Beaver (a division of Devesco Ltée), Excavation Loiselle et frères Inc., Giguère et Geoffroy Inc., Nepcon Inc., Roxboro Excavation Inc., as well as the consulting firm 9014-6135 Québec Inc., pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiring to share the market and unduly lessen competition in snow clearing, removal and transportation.

The offence involved an agreement to share snow removal contracts awarded by the Ministère des Transports du Québec for the 1997-98 season. The agreement primarily encompassed major highways on the island of Montreal. The total value of the contracts was about $4.6 million.

Certified copies of the court documents are available from the Quebec Superior Court registry. The registry file number is 500-73-001333-000.

For more information, please contact :

Cynthia Grant
Communications Directorate
(819) 994-0349