Dominique Ollivier, the number two in the Montreal government, is in the hot seat after revelations about spending by managers at the Office de Consultation Publique de Montréal (OCPM) when she was its president and is still enjoying it trust of his boss.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante reiterated at a news conference on Tuesday that Ms. Ollivier is still the right person to take over the presidency of the executive committee and present the next city budget, expected on November 15.
The Montreal opposition called for Dominique Ollivier’s resignation after the Journal de Montréal reported on dinners and trips requested by OCPM leaders, particularly during the years Ms. Ollivier led the organization, from 2014 to 2021.
Mayor Plante made it clear that the expenses in question had been claimed within the legal framework. But even if there is nothing illegal, is it acceptable? “The answer is no,” she clarified.
According to Valérie Plante, the spending framework itself must be questioned. You have to do some cleaning [pour] Send clear messages to the population and restore citizens’ trust in the OCPM, she said. The mayor therefore expects a review of the OCPM’s practices and oversight by the Auditor General of Montreal.
Ms. Plante emphasized Ms. Ollivier’s willingness to embrace the music.
“I do not want to downplay the concerns of Montrealers and that does not leave me indifferent,” the mayor made clear, adding that Municipal Affairs Minister Andrée Laforest has also said she is concerned about the situation.
Dominique is the first to realize that things need to change and she regrets certain expenses that affect Montrealers’ trust in her.
In an interview with Patrice Roy on Monday, Dominique Ollivier said she was willing to reimburse one of the selected meals, a bill for $347, out of her own pocket. “Oysters in Paris, I’m willing to admit that wasn’t my best idea,” she said.
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The former president of the OCPM Dominique Ollivier, now number two to Valérie Plante. (archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Ivanoh Demers
A public commission for more transparency
In an Instagram post on Monday, Valérie Plante also indicated that the current director general [de l’OCPM]Ms. Isabelle Beaulieu, is invited to the Presidential Commission to report on her management.
According to Ms. Plante, it is Ms. Beaulieu’s responsibility to shed light on the use of public money in a public commission. The motion has been made and will be presented to the Executive Committee tomorrow.
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Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante reiterated her unconditional support for Dominique Olivier at a press conference this afternoon.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Ivanoh Demers
The mayor said she therefore considers this unacceptable [la présidente] has not yet responded publicly. She wants to quickly learn the next steps to regulate spending within the OCPM. [Isabelle Beaulieu] is the person in office and we want to know what he will do in his capacity as director, emphasized Valérie Plante.
On Monday, the OCPM announced that it was freezing all foreign travel by its members. However, the Office’s new Secretary General, Guy Grenier, is currently on a mission in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Regarding this trip, Valérie Plante said unequivocally: Mr. Grenier should return to the country. I was told we would stop spending money and traveling. It is unacceptable for the OCPM that he is there; He should be here answering questions, she stressed, adding that Dominique Ollivier was standing and facing the music instead of being on a journey.