Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist
Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) is asking the Town of Percé to lift professional secrecy surrounding the administrative investigation that led to the dismissal of former urban planning director Ghislain Pitre.
The request, sent by UPAC on December 2 to the Town of Percé, asks for access to the report following a request for disclosure from prosecutors from the Bureau of Serious Crimes and Special Affairs of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP).
In the resolution’s recitals, UPAC committed to using the report only for the specific purposes of the request and will keep the document confidential until criminal charges are filed, should the investigation lead to that outcome.
While the report remains protected by professional secrecy, the request aims to facilitate UPAC’s work.
On December 3, the municipal council unanimously adopted the resolution lifting professional secrecy for the investigation after consulting with Therrien, Couture, Jolicoeur, the firm mandated by the Town to investigate the allegations.
In July, the council dismissed Mr. Pitre in a special meeting by a vote of five to one following the filing of the law firm’s 340-page administrative investigation report on labour law.
The council adopted a resolution a few minutes after learning of the document ordered during his suspension with pay on October 30, 2023.
Since the case could go to court, the municipal council did not make any further comments regarding the resolution adopted to validate the dismissal.
Mr. Pitre filed a complaint with the Administrative Labour Tribunal on August 13. In response, the council adopted a resolution in September to mandate a law firm to defend the Town following the complaint.
Serious allegations against the former Director of Urban Planning led to his suspension which, in turn, prompted the administrative investigation. The cost of the investigation amounted to $131,250.
Furthermore, following a question asked by a citizen, the public learned that the council hasn’t taken any steps to recoup the compensation paid between the time of the suspension and the dismissal of the former employee.
The Director General, Michel Fréchette, mentioned at the public meeting that a reflection was underway, but since there was no trial, no decision has been made. A claim could be possible, depending on the outcome of any criminal proceedings against Mr. Pitre.
On another note, the letter asking the Minister of Municipal Affairs to intervene with the Municipal Commission in order to force a meeting between the commission, elected officials, the Town and citizens was sent to the Minister.
The mayor applied his veto at the November council meeting, which was subsequently overturned in a special session.
The Town received an acknowledgement of receipt from the Minister’s office. Citizens would like to know the content of the letter sent to the Minister. However, before doing so, the Town is checking with the Access to Information Commission to see if such a request can be accepted.
The Town has also requested a legal opinion on this issue. On October 8, Quebec Municipal Commission (CMQ) President Jean-Philippe Marois sent a letter rejecting the Town’s request to clarify certain elements to discuss the never-declared accountability.
Director Michel Fréchette stated that the report mentioned the effects of the issue, without mentioning the cause, which is what the Town was seeking to know in a request sent on October 1.
In a report released in July, the Direction des enquêtes et des poursuites en intégrité municipale (DEPIM) concluded, based on paragraph 4 of section 4 of the Act to facilitate the disclosure of wrongdoings against public bodies, that there was a serious case of mismanagement in the Town of Percé.