Canadian firm Norda Stelo, formerly known as Roche ltée, Groupe-conseil, has been ordered to pay US$550,000 to Canada’s receiver general over the next four years as a punishment for bid-rigging on municipal infrastructure contracts.
Canada’s Competition Bureau found Roche ltée’s conspired with competing engineering on municipal contracts in Québec City and Lévis between 2006 and 2012.
The company has previously paid into Quebec’s voluntary reimbursement program, which was taken into account when the fine was given.
The ruling also takes into consideration the firm’s financial resources and that individuals involved in the scheme no longer work at the company.
Stéphane Lamoureux, Canada’s senior deputy commissioner of cartels, said: "The payments in these settlements are over and above what the companies have already reimbursed to the affected municipalities. I hope that sends a clear message to those who think they can steal money from taxpayers by rigging bids."
Roche ltée’s fine is part of a Canada’s Competition Bureau’s continuing investigation into bid-rigging, which has previously fined WSP Canada C$4m and DessauC$1.9m.
Image ©GCR, illustration by Denis Carrier
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What about SNC Lavalin??