Collusion in Gatineau: the Disciplinary Council of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec strikes François Paulhus off the roll for a period of 15 months

MONTREAL, Nov. 2, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Disciplinary Council of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec rendered its decision on guilt and penalty in the case of François Paulhus, who will be struck off the roll for a period of 15 months. In its decision, the Disciplinary Council also ordered Mr. Paulhus to pay all costs in connection with the proceedings, including publication costs.

Mr. Paulhus was found guilty of failing to fulfill his professional obligations by going along with dishonest and dubious practices and lacking integrity by participating in the design of a contract sharing scheme that allowed him to circumvent the competitive bidding process of the City of Gatineau.

He was also found guilty of committing a derogatory act by encouraging colleagues to participate in a contract sharing scheme.

Mr. Paulhus' alleged offences occurred between 2003 and 2004, while he was a regional director at Genivar (now WSP).

The penalties imposed by the Disciplinary Council are enforceable when the appeal period has expired. As for being struck off the roll, this will be enforceable when the respondent is reinstated as a member in good standing of the OIQ, as applicable. The penalties imposed are intended to protect the public, dissuade professionals from repeating offences and set an example for other members of the profession.

The full version of the Disciplinary Council's decision, including the summary of charges, is available on the OIQ's Web site.

About the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec
Founded in 1920, the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec has a membership of approximately 60,000 engineering professionals in all fields, except forest engineering. The mission of the OIQ is to ensure the protection of the public by supervising the practice of the profession within the framework of its constituent laws and ensure that the profession serves the public interest. For more information, go to http://www.oiq.qc.ca.

 

SOURCE Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec

Aline Vandermeer, Communications Advisor, Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec, Tel.: [phone] or 1 800 461-6141, extension 3253