Jacques Lamarre, the former CEO of SNC-Lavalin, has been expelled from the Order of Canada due to serious corruption scandals linked to the company. This decision is the result of ongoing legal and ethical issues that have plagued the firm over the past decade, culminating in its rebranding as AtkinsRéalis.
Details of the Order Revocation
The official notice of Lamarre’s removal was published in the Canada Gazette on Friday. Notably, no press release accompanied this significant announcement. In 2005, Lamarre was appointed to the Order of Canada, recognized as one of Canada’s most respected business leaders. He was described as a visionary who had strengthened the position of SNC-Lavalin in the global engineering sector.
Corruption Allegations and Professional Consequences
However, the reputation of the multinational engineering consultancy was tarnished by corruption allegations associated with Lamarre’s tenure. These issues primarily took place between 2001 and 2009, during which he is alleged to have made illicit payments to the regime of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, securing lucrative contracts. Furthermore, he is accused of providing benefits to a municipal political party aimed at achieving the same goals.
- Position: Former CEO of SNC-Lavalin
- Order of Canada Appointment: 2005
- Order Revocation Date: Recent publication in the Canada Gazette
- Fine and Ban: $75,000 and a lifetime ban by the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec
- Professional Status: Abandoned his professional title in the prior year
In January, Lamarre expressed disappointment regarding his ban by the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec, describing the events as personally and professionally challenging. He stated, “I welcome this decision with deep disappointment,” reflecting on the toll the recent events have taken on his life.
Additional Revocation Notices
In related news, the Canada Gazette also announced the removal of Peter Dalglish from the Order of Canada. Dalglish, a humanitarian worker, was convicted of sexual assaults against children in Nepal, highlighting the serious implications of the Order’s standards of conduct.
These developments underscore the ongoing scrutiny of ethics and accountability within Canadian corporations and institutions.
