The investigation into the election of Rénald Grondin as head of the FTQ-Construction reveals that “the evidence does not show in a preponderant manner” that the union executive was aware that the man assaulted and harassed a secretary during two years.
“[The victim] had not reported the situation or filed a complaint with the AMI (the Association of Inter-Provincial Maneuvers) in connection with the events”, underlines the report written by lawyer Me Anaïs Lacroix, from Latitude. This was released Thursday afternoon.
Between 2008 and 2010, Rénald Grondin, who was president of the AMI, made advances of a sexual nature to his secretary. He invited him several times to his office, the door closed. The facts were documented in a 2012 decision by the Professional Injuries Commission and revealed in an article in La Presse last May.
Rénald Grondin was forced to resign as president of the FTQ-Construction, the largest construction union in Quebec, in the wake of the report.
“[Rénald Grondin] appointed a prosecutor to represent the AMI in this case, which reported directly to him alone as the director general of the AMI,” said the lawyer who conducted the independent investigation.
Me Anaïs Lacroix also makes 10 recommendations to prevent such events from happening again.
She suggests the creation of an “independent and impartial entity reporting to the highest authorities of the FTQ” to take charge of the process for handling complaints and reports of psychological and sexual harassment.
More details to come…