Quebec union denies Hells Angels link

The head of Quebec's most powerful construction union is denying allegations the Hells Angels were involved in his election.

An investigative report by the CBC's French-language service to be aired Thursday has revealed the role played by organized crime in the union vote.

Richard Goyette was elected director general of the construction wing of the Quebec Federation of Labour  (FTQ-Construction) by a two-vote margin in November 2008, succeeding Jocelyn Dupuis.

Dupuis had been forced to step down as the union's director following controversy over his expense accounts, but had given Goyette his blessing.

Goyette was running against Bernard Girard, who had received the support of the union's retiring president, Jean Lavallée.

Then, a third man, Dominic Bérubé, also threw his name in the ring,

According to Radio-Canada's Enquête program, Dupuis turned to outside help to dissuade Bérubé from running in the director's election.

Candidate drops out suddenly

Enquête reported that Dupuis, who is said to be friends with high-ranking Hells Angels and a Montreal Mafia boss, called on one of his contacts from the organized crime world to convince Bérubé to pull out of the race.

Radio-Canada says Dupuis asked Jacques Israel Emond, a member of the Hells Angels Sherbrooke chapter, to convince Bérubé to pull out of the race and endorse Dupuis's candidate, Goyette.

The men are said to have sealed their deal during a restaurant meeting six days before the November vote.

On the day of the election, Bérubé pulled his candidacy and Goyette was elected with a slim majority.

In its investigation, Enquête consulted several people linked with the union who reported that Dupuis boasted about his feat and alleged it would allow him to continue controlling and influencing FTQ Construction.

FTQ denies allegations

Goyette said there is no evidence linking him to organized crime.

"That is not my background at all," said Goyette.

"I come from a background of unions and community groups, I was a university teacher for years — this is craziness," said Goyette.

René Roy, secretary general of the Quebec Federation of Labour, also defended the organization.

"As far as I know, those who lost never accepted defeat," said Roy.

"So, they are stirring up [trouble]," he said, acknowledging the allegations have damaged the union's credibility.

Opposition calls for inquiry

At the Quebec National Assembly, interim Action Démocratique leader Sylvie Roy reiterated calls for a public inquiry into allegations of corruption in the construction industry.

If organized crime has infiltrated Quebec's biggest construction union, Roy said criminal elements could be illegally profiting from taxpayers' money.

On Tuesday, Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois made a similar request.

Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis said the government would wait for provincial police to complete investigations that are already underway.

Court refuses injunction to block documentary

In another development Wednesday, the Quebec Superior Court rejected an injunction request from an adviser to FTQ president Michel Arsenault, who wanted to block the upcoming broadcast of his comments.

Gilles Audette, Arsenault's political adviser, argued that his right to privacy was violated when his comments were recorded without his knowledge or permission.

His comments are part of the Enquête documentary.

Audette's comments were recorded by Ken Pereira, director of the association of mechanics, one of the FTQ's many member unions. Pereira handed over the recording to Radio-Canada.

In his injunction request, Audette said he told Pereira he did not want his comments to be recorded.

Quebec Superior Court judge Paul Chaput ruled the recording was legal and did not violate Audette's right to privacy, because it is a matter of public interest.

Any issue that "concerns the administration and management of a union as important as the FTQ, as well as its relationship with the construction industry" is a matter of public interest, Chaput said.

"The internal conflict at the FTQ has already been covered in the media," and Audette has a role because he is an adviser to the organization's president, Chaput continued.

The Enquête report will be broadcast on Thursday night on CBC's French-language network.