The president of a local road and construction company has made a statement through his lawyers after the business was charged in connection with a fatal accident in 2015.
The three charges from the Ontario Ministry of Labour were laid this week. They come a year after the death of 58-year-old Cécile Paquette, who was killed when she was struck by heavy machinery at an Interpaving job site at the corner of Elgin and Beech streets. Her family is suing the city, Interpaving Ltd. and the driver of a road grader for $2 million.
Greater Sudbury was also charged in the case. They face seven charges of violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
"The City of Greater Sudbury will be vigorously defending the charges laid by the Ministry of Labour stemming from the Sept. 30, 2015 incident," the city said in a statement Tuesday.
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On Friday through his lawyers, Interpaving president Alfonzo Argento released this statement:
“Interpaving is a family owned business that has been part of the Sudbury community for 44 years. Since this tragic accident, Interpaving has cooperated with the Ministry of Labour in its investigation.
“Now that the city has been charged with seven counts of contravening the Occupational Health and Safety Act, in relation to the accident, and Interpaving with three, we will be responding to this matter in court.”
The city has suspended Interpaving as a contractor, meaning they can't bid on city contracts. Also on Friday, the province released a statement that said it wouldn't be following the city's lead in banning Interpaving from bidding on future work.
“The Ontario Public Service Procurement Directive does not prohibit any company charged with an offence from bidding on a contract,” Ann Doose, a spokesperson for the Treasury Board Secretariat, said in an email.
“In regards to if and how a charge would affect a current contract, each contract needs to be examined on an individual basis, based on the terms and conditions of that contract.”
Doose said the province has clear and transparent rules for bidding on work, and all contractors must uphold rules and guidelines set out by Ontario law.
That includes “requirements for full disclosure of evaluation criteria, contract award notification, formal bid dispute process and vendor debriefings ensure transparency in vendor selection,” Doose said in the email.
“There are requirements that apply to all contracts, such as contractor security screening that ensures that public trust continues to be protected, or the vendor tax compliance program that ensures that vendors doing business with the province are in compliance with their tax obligations.”
