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Canada: When engineering competition drops, collusion rises, says judge

By  |  September 4, 2013

A judge presiding over a corruption case regarding various engineering companies in Quebec said the lack of competitors in the industry lead to collusion.

Justice France Charbonneau heard testimony from engineers from the area’s business this week, outlining how the companies colluded to rig bids and win projects for Quebec City and Gatineau projects. The judge blamed such collusion on the lack of competition following this testimony.

One such testimony claimed that just eight firms, a relatively low number of competitors, ran the engineering sector and broke the law to ensure steady profits following the establishment of Bill 106, designed to stop such corruption yet deemed as unfair by some in the market.

Testimony also accused firms of fixing prices.

Full Content: CTV News

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