SNC-Lavalin issues statement after former CEO’s arrest

Pierre Duhaime, ing., former chief executive officer of SNC-Lavalin who left the company in March, was arrested on November 28 and faces allegations of fraud related to the McGill University Health Centre project in Montreal.

Following Duhaime’s arrest, the company issued a statement to the press and published it on their website:

“We have just been informed of the arrest of Pierre Duhaime. We have not been made officially aware of the specifics of any charges that may have been laid against him and are not able to comment further.

As we have stated repeatedly, SNC-Lavalin has and will continue to cooperate fully with all authorities who request our assistance. We have voluntarily turned over information that we have to local and other authorities for them to take any actions that they may consider appropriate.

We are unequivocal that no unethical behavior or illegal acts must ever be tolerated. We believe that anyone found to have committed any wrongdoing should be brought to justice.

The Company remains committed to maintaining ethical standards of business conduct.  We have procedures in place, including a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, which every employee is obliged to sign and follow. Over the last number of months we have instituted, and continue to institute, measures to reinforce those procedures and strengthen internal controls and processes.”

On December 4, Andy Mackintosh, Executive Vice-President in charge of SNC-Lavalin’s Hydrocarbons & Chemicals business unit, resigned.  The company said he has accepted a position with another company. Ric Sorbo, Senior Vice-President and General Manager of the unit has been appointed acting head in Mackintosh’s place.