Ex-union boss lived large at Quebec members' expense: CBC probe

A former official with Quebec's biggest federation of labour unions ran up massive expense bills for food and drink, the CBC has learned.

Jocelyn Dupuis — director of FTQ-Construction, an arm of the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec, for 11 years — claimed $125,000 in expenses over a period of six months, according to expense reports and receipts recently obtained by CBC/ Radio Canada.

On average, the receipts show he claimed more than $4,500 a week for meals in restaurants.

Dupuis said all were approved by FTQ-Construction's executive.

The FTQ and FTQ-Construction have refused to comment.

In another development, the man who decided to make Dupuis's expense claims public said Wednesday he's been getting threatening phone calls.

Ken Pereira, president of the industrial equipment workers' union that is affiliated with the FTQ,  said he is now under police protection.