Jacques Corriveau, ‘central figure’ in sponsorship scandal, dead at 85

The sponsorship program was created after the 1995 sovereignty referendum to boost the federal government’s presence in Quebec. A public inquiry into the scandal, however, revealed firms were winning contracts based on donations to the federal Liberals, with little work being done.

A judge who headed the federal inquiry described Corriveau — who worked on Chretien’s leadership campaigns — as a “central figure” in the program.

The Crown alleged Corriveau set up a kickback scheme on contracts awarded for the sponsorship program and used his design company to defraud the federal government between 1997 and 2003.

Corriveau was only charged for the crimes in December 2013 following an 11-year investigation.

In their appeal, Corriveau’s lawyers argued the trial judge erred by not invoking the lengthy delays to grant a stay of proceedings before the trial began.

Souliere said the appeal is no longer applicable because of Corriveau’s death.

“He was declared guilty so he will remain eternally someone who was declared guilty,” he said.

Souliere said, that while highly unlikely, a court could theoretically agree to hear the appeal despite Corriveau’s death, for purposes of settling inheritances or other matters related to his estate.

“But it would be very exceptional for the courts to do that,” the lawyer said.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Jacques Corriveau, ‘central figure’ in sponsorship scandal, dead at 85

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