Quebec labour minister ‘shocked and outraged’ at FTQ-construction expenses

An investigation found that senior management at a major construction union claimed expenses such as $55 glasses of whiskey. The report has 'shocked and outraged' the Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet.

Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet says he is “deeply shocked and outraged” by the “totally unacceptable” spending on meals and alcohol at FTQ-Construction.

The Journal de Montréal revealed that alcohol and restaurant expenses had been approved by the senior management of the major construction union, including scotch at $55 a glass, Japanese whisky at $30, filet mignon at $80 and others.

Questioned about this at a news briefing in Quebec City on Wednesday, the Labour Minister said he was shocked and upset.

He pointed out that this money comes from the union dues paid by construction workers and is therefore supposed to be used to pay for the defence of workers' rights, their training and their representation, and not for “unseemly” expenses.

Boulet said he intended to speak to QFL president Magali Picard about the matter.

The FTQ-Construction represents some 80,000 workers in the industry or 44 per cent of the total.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 29, 2025.