Quebec businessman Gilles Laberge has racked up more than $3 million in tax debt and Revenue Canada believes he is trying to get out of it by transferring his assets.
The federal government therefore initiated legal proceedings last month to challenge the transfer of rights to his magnificent residence to his wife, who is also the subject of the proceedings.
According to the petition filed with the Supreme Court, the founder of Scrooge transferred the building in which they live opposite the Plains of Abraham to his wife Céline Blais for the sum of $1.
According to municipal assessment, the Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue residence is worth $2.5 million.
As a result of the gratuitous transfer of November 18, 2022, Mr. Laberge's assets were weakened and/or he became insolvent.
According to lawyers representing the agency and the finance minister, the 82-year-old abused the minister's rights, making it difficult, if not impossible, to collect the tax debt.
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The residence on Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue, now owned by Gilles Laberge's wife.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Bruno Boutin
The court document claims that Gilles Laberge further impoverished his assets by the end of 2022, in particular by transferring an amount of $160,400 abroad.
The contributions claimed relate to the years 2011 to 2016, for which Mr. Laberge accumulated $2.1 million in debt to the federal government.
Revenu Quebec too
Government lawyers also set out the octogenarian's financial results in their application. According to the document, he also accumulated a $1.1 million tax debt to Revenu Québec during the same period.
During these years he continued to manage the famous Grande-Allée nightclub. According to the court document, in recent years he began handing over management of his businesses, including Le Dagobert, to his son.
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In its application, the government paints a portrait of Gilles Laberge's companies.
Photo: Radio-Canada
Before selling the property to his wife for $1, Gilles Laberge had been the sole owner since 1992, having purchased it for $240,000.
Given the current value of the house, the federal government wants to invalidate the transfer to his spouse, meaning the state could collect on it as a debt.
Convicted in 2012
It's not the first time that the co-founder of the bar Le Dagobert has had trouble with the tax authorities.
Between 2007 and 2010, the company submitted false sales documents that allowed it to reduce its taxable income by a total of $2.5 million.
After admitting guilt in 2012, the company had to pay back unpaid taxes on this amount, in addition to paying penalties, totaling almost $900,000.
No comment
We tried to contact Gilles Laberge without success. He did not respond to the message he left on the answering machine of the apartment where he still lives with his partner. He in turn appointed a lawyer to defend her in court.
Contacted by Radio-Canada, Me Marie-Hélène Racine, who represents Céline Blais, preferred not to comment on the case because it is being heard in court.
Her response to the government's request, contained in court filings, said Ms. Blais intended to agree to settle the matter.
There is currently no court date set.