Reaction to the publication of the Charbonneau Inquiry report by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies | Canada

OTTAWA, Nov. 24, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies | Canada (ACEC) has been following closely the proceedings from Quebec's Charbonneau Inquiry into the granting and management of public contracts in the construction industry.  After three years of investigating and hearing witnesses and a long year of drafting a final report, ACEC, its member companies and the entire consulting engineering sector is pleased to have offered its entire cooperation and full support to the Inquiry in its aim to shed light on alleged unethical behaviours.  As such, ACEC thanks Justice Charbonneau, the Inquiry and all those who made a contribution to its important mandate.

"We believe this report and its sixty recommendations introduce greater transparency and accountability that will ultimately strengthen public procurement and the construction industry in Quebec," declared John Gamble, President & CEO of the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies | Canada.  "With respect to any wrongdoings by ill-intentioned individuals referenced in the report, ACEC reiterates that professional engineers are part of a regulated profession. If there are individuals who acted unethically, either on behalf of themselves or their companies, ACEC expects that those responsible for such acts will be held accountable.  Corruption will never be entirely eradicated without dealing with both the buyers and sellers.  Therefore we are pleased to see that the Inquiry recognized the role of the public sector as well as the private sector in its recommendations and welcomes vigilance by all parties in ending corruption," continued Mr. Gamble.

"Finally, in the wake of today's Inquiry's report and as stated by Justice Charbonneau in her remarks, ACEC also expects the majority of companies and professionals who conduct business fairly and ethically will be exonerated, and that the unethical practices of a select few will not further harm reputations built over generations of that majority," concluded Mr. Gamble.

The consulting engineering sector across Canada including in Quebec has a proud and honourable history.  It has played an important role creating our social, economic and environmental quality of life across the country.  Consulting engineers' accomplishments helped build our economy as well as a strong reputation worldwide for Canadian engineering services as Canada is the world's fifth largest exporter of engineering services.  ACEC looks forward to continuing our industry's proud contribution in the future in Quebec and all provinces and territories.

The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of Canada represents companies in Canada that provide professional engineering services to both public and private-sector clients. These services include the planning, design and execution of all types of engineering projects, as well as providing independent advice and expertise in a wide range of engineering and engineering-related fields.  For more information about ACEC, please visit www.acec.ca.

SOURCE Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-Canada (ACEC)

For further information: John D. Gamble, CET, P.Eng., President & CEO, Association of Consulting Engineering Companies | Canada, 613 236-0569, [email protected]