https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNC-Lavalin
Acquisitions and partnerships
According to Ingram, SNC-Lavalin partnered with Bombardier in the 1990s to build transportation projects in Malaysia and Turkey. SNC-Lavalin acquired a 27% share in Ontario's Highway 407 toll road for $175 million. In 2011, SNC-Lavalin sold part of their share of Highway 407 at a significant profit.
In June 2011, SNC-Lavalin purchased the commercial reactor division of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) from the Government of Canada for CA$15 million. SNC-Lavalin established a subsidiary company named Candu Energy Inc. to market the design and supply of CANDU reactors.[21]
On June 23, 2014, SNC-Lavalin acquired Irish engineering and construction business Kentz for approximately CA$2.1 billion (US$1.95 billion). [22]
In 2017, SNC-Lavalin acquired its UK rival WS Atkins—a British design, engineering and project management consulting firm, with $1.9-billion investment from [23] the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
Major domestic projects
Corporate headquarters of SNC-Lavalin on René-Lévesque Blvd, in Montreal.
In 1999, the Ontario government signed a $3.1 billion 99-year lease for Ontario Highway 407 with 407 International Inc., a conglomerate of three private companies, including SNC-Lavalin. It was renamed 407 ETR.[24] In the early 2000s, SNC-Lavalin won the contract to repair Montreal's Jacques Cartier Bridge.[25][26]
In 2002–2003 the firm completed a feasibility study of the Lac Doré Vanadium Deposit, in which they established the deposit as the largest vanadium deposit in North America.[27][28]
In 2005 SNC-Lavalin in partnership with Brun-Way Group, won the $543.8-million contract to build the Brun-way project to twin Route 2, the New Brunswick portion of the Trans-Canada Highway from Woodstock, New Brunswick to Fredericton. The contract with the New Brunswick government was completed in 2007. .[29] In June 2005, the BC Department of Transport selected SNC-Lavalin for a 30-year contract valued at $179 million to "design, build, finance and operate" the William R. Bennett Bridge in Kelowna, British Columbia. Construction which was completed in 2008.[30]
In 2004, the firm was awarded the contract for Canada Line, an extension of the SkyTrain rapid-transit system in Vancouver;[31] the project was completed in 2009,[32] ahead of schedule.[33]
The Goreway Power Station, a 869.8 megawatt thermal power generation facility in Brampton, Ontario, near Pearson Airport, constructed by way of an EPC agreement with SNC-Lavalin, began commercial operation in 2009, [34] for Toyota Tsusho and Chubu Electric Power. The firm completed the construction of Ermine Power Station for SaskPower in Saskatchewan in 2009.[35]
In 2010 the firm completed the construction of a $1.3 billion hospital at the McGill University Health Centre.[36] (See discussion regarding controversy, below.)
The firm was awarded the 2015 Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards for their work in structural and civil engineering for the Halifax Central Library project in which they created a "civic landmark and centrepiece for the Capital District".[37]
In 2015, the Eglinton Crosstown (LRT) and Blue22 (airport rail link) projects in Toronto were awarded to SNC-Lavalin,[38] who was one of only two bidders for the Crosstown line.[39] Both lines have since been transferred to Metrolinx ownership. The Crosstown line is due to be completed in 2020, while Blue22 opened as Union Pearson Express in 2015. SNC-Lavalin is one of three main partners of the Rideau Transit Group, along with ACS Group and EllisDon Confederation Line, on a 12.5 kilometre rapid-transit line project in Ottawa with a 2.5 kilometre downtown subway tunnel as the centrepiece. The project, originally scheduled to be completed in 2018, is expected to be completed in Spring 2019.[40]
International projects
In 1995, SNC-Lavalin won a large infrastructure contract to renovate and modernize hydro electric power stations with the Indian government.[41]
In 2007, the firm won the $4.6-billion Ambatovy mine engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) management contract, the largest capital project in Madagascar's history. It was completed in 2010. The nickel and cobalt mining and preparation plant was completed in 2010. SNC-Lavalin sold its share for $600 million.[42] There has been controversy about the mine's environmental and health impacts.[43]
In December 2016, the firm won a BOO (build–own–operate) (BOO) contract from Crestwood Equity Partners valued at $100 million for multiple gas facilities in the Permian shale basin in the United States.[44] In March 2016, it was awarded a $800M EPC management contract for a Middle East gas processing project.[45]
Major investors
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is SNC-Lavalin's "long-term partner".[23] According to an article by Pierre Fortin in L'actualité, Quebec Deposit and Investment Fund (the Caisse), which manages the Quebec Pension Plan and is the second largest pension fund in Canada, after the Canada Pension Plan (CPP),[46] has increased its financing of Quebec enterprises from 2003 through 2013.[47] [48]
Legal issues
SNC-Lavalin's management teams have been investigated in a number of allegations under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act regarding contracts beginning with the SNC-Lavalin Kerala hydroelectric dam scandal (1995–2008)[49] through to the allegations involving the bribing of Libyan officials between 2001 and 2011.[50].[50]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Bridge_graft_scandal
World Bank personal statement
The World Bank has published a detailed statement about their allegation of corruption relating to the Padma Bridge and their subsequent pullout from the financing of the project.[3] They have also published a FAQ ("Frequently Asked Questions" document) in order to better explain their position and activities.[4]
The World Bank alleged that there had been a "conspiracy" plotted to stage a high-level corruption in the project:
Canadian court
SNC-Lavalin officials Ramesh Saha's diary had a list of Bangladeshi citizens who were to receive 10–12% commission for awarding the Padma Bridge contract to SNC-Lavalin.[5] According to her diary: "Padma PCC, 4% Min, 2% Kaiser, 2% Nixon, 1% Secretary and 1% Moshi Rahman." According to the documents, "Min" referred to former communication minister Syed Abul Hossain; "Kaiser" is former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury; "Nixon" is the prime minister's nephew Mujibur Rahman; "Secretary" is former Bridges Division secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan; and "Moshi Rahman" is the prime minister's economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman. Another 2% was kept for someone, but the name was not available.[6][7]
CBC TV
CBC TV of Canada performed investigative journalism, and they speculated that there was a wide-ranged plot of corruption in the project.[8]
Aftermath
The World Bank blacklisted the Canadian firm, SNC-Lavalin Inc, and banned it from any business for 10 years due to the firm's alleged involvement in Padma Bridge project corruption scandal.[9] Since the World Bank withdrew its involvement, the estimated cost of the bridge has climbed by over US$1 billion and the expected completion date is being pushed back by two years to 2020.[10] On 24 January 2017, in her speech in the parliament, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina blamed Muhammad Yunus for the World Bank's pulling out of the project.[11] According to her, Yunus lobbied with the former USA Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to persuade the World Bank to terminate the loan.[12]
Dismissal of charges by a Canadian court and Bangladesh ACC
In 2015, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigated the case after the World Bank continuously pushed the government to take action against the alleged perpetrators. After 53 days of investigation, ACC found nobody to be guilty. On the basis of ACC's report, Dhaka district judge court acquitted all the seven government officials who were alleged to have been involved in the corruption plot.[13] Before that, the ACC exonerated Syed Abul Hossain and ex-state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury from the allegation of involvement in the corruption conspiracy.[14]
On February 11, 2017, the Canadian court found no proof of the Padma bridge bribery conspiracy and the Ontario Superior Court acquitted ex-SNC-Lavalin executives, dismissing the case.[2][15] According to the Dhaka Tribune, Justice Ian Nordheimer rebuked the Canadian police, saying: "Reduced to its essentials, the information provided in the [wiretap applications] was nothing more than speculation, gossip, and rumor."
Since 2011 has SNC bid on any contracts that would involve the World Bank, will they do any bids before 2023? (despite Canada letting them off the hook)
Acquisitions and partnerships
According to Ingram, SNC-Lavalin partnered with Bombardier in the 1990s to build transportation projects in Malaysia and Turkey. SNC-Lavalin acquired a 27% share in Ontario's Highway 407 toll road for $175 million. In 2011, SNC-Lavalin sold part of their share of Highway 407 at a significant profit.
In June 2011, SNC-Lavalin purchased the commercial reactor division of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) from the Government of Canada for CA$15 million. SNC-Lavalin established a subsidiary company named Candu Energy Inc. to market the design and supply of CANDU reactors.[21]
On June 23, 2014, SNC-Lavalin acquired Irish engineering and construction business Kentz for approximately CA$2.1 billion (US$1.95 billion). [22]
In 2017, SNC-Lavalin acquired its UK rival WS Atkins—a British design, engineering and project management consulting firm, with $1.9-billion investment from [23] the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
Major domestic projects
Corporate headquarters of SNC-Lavalin on René-Lévesque Blvd, in Montreal.
In 1999, the Ontario government signed a $3.1 billion 99-year lease for Ontario Highway 407 with 407 International Inc., a conglomerate of three private companies, including SNC-Lavalin. It was renamed 407 ETR.[24] In the early 2000s, SNC-Lavalin won the contract to repair Montreal's Jacques Cartier Bridge.[25][26]
In 2002–2003 the firm completed a feasibility study of the Lac Doré Vanadium Deposit, in which they established the deposit as the largest vanadium deposit in North America.[27][28]
In 2005 SNC-Lavalin in partnership with Brun-Way Group, won the $543.8-million contract to build the Brun-way project to twin Route 2, the New Brunswick portion of the Trans-Canada Highway from Woodstock, New Brunswick to Fredericton. The contract with the New Brunswick government was completed in 2007. .[29] In June 2005, the BC Department of Transport selected SNC-Lavalin for a 30-year contract valued at $179 million to "design, build, finance and operate" the William R. Bennett Bridge in Kelowna, British Columbia. Construction which was completed in 2008.[30]
In 2004, the firm was awarded the contract for Canada Line, an extension of the SkyTrain rapid-transit system in Vancouver;[31] the project was completed in 2009,[32] ahead of schedule.[33]
The Goreway Power Station, a 869.8 megawatt thermal power generation facility in Brampton, Ontario, near Pearson Airport, constructed by way of an EPC agreement with SNC-Lavalin, began commercial operation in 2009, [34] for Toyota Tsusho and Chubu Electric Power. The firm completed the construction of Ermine Power Station for SaskPower in Saskatchewan in 2009.[35]
In 2010 the firm completed the construction of a $1.3 billion hospital at the McGill University Health Centre.[36] (See discussion regarding controversy, below.)
The firm was awarded the 2015 Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards for their work in structural and civil engineering for the Halifax Central Library project in which they created a "civic landmark and centrepiece for the Capital District".[37]
In 2015, the Eglinton Crosstown (LRT) and Blue22 (airport rail link) projects in Toronto were awarded to SNC-Lavalin,[38] who was one of only two bidders for the Crosstown line.[39] Both lines have since been transferred to Metrolinx ownership. The Crosstown line is due to be completed in 2020, while Blue22 opened as Union Pearson Express in 2015. SNC-Lavalin is one of three main partners of the Rideau Transit Group, along with ACS Group and EllisDon Confederation Line, on a 12.5 kilometre rapid-transit line project in Ottawa with a 2.5 kilometre downtown subway tunnel as the centrepiece. The project, originally scheduled to be completed in 2018, is expected to be completed in Spring 2019.[40]
International projects
In 1995, SNC-Lavalin won a large infrastructure contract to renovate and modernize hydro electric power stations with the Indian government.[41]
In 2007, the firm won the $4.6-billion Ambatovy mine engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) management contract, the largest capital project in Madagascar's history. It was completed in 2010. The nickel and cobalt mining and preparation plant was completed in 2010. SNC-Lavalin sold its share for $600 million.[42] There has been controversy about the mine's environmental and health impacts.[43]
In December 2016, the firm won a BOO (build–own–operate) (BOO) contract from Crestwood Equity Partners valued at $100 million for multiple gas facilities in the Permian shale basin in the United States.[44] In March 2016, it was awarded a $800M EPC management contract for a Middle East gas processing project.[45]
Major investors
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is SNC-Lavalin's "long-term partner".[23] According to an article by Pierre Fortin in L'actualité, Quebec Deposit and Investment Fund (the Caisse), which manages the Quebec Pension Plan and is the second largest pension fund in Canada, after the Canada Pension Plan (CPP),[46] has increased its financing of Quebec enterprises from 2003 through 2013.[47] [48]
Legal issues
SNC-Lavalin's management teams have been investigated in a number of allegations under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act regarding contracts beginning with the SNC-Lavalin Kerala hydroelectric dam scandal (1995–2008)[49] through to the allegations involving the bribing of Libyan officials between 2001 and 2011.[50].[50]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_Bridge_graft_scandal
World Bank personal statement
The World Bank has published a detailed statement about their allegation of corruption relating to the Padma Bridge and their subsequent pullout from the financing of the project.[3] They have also published a FAQ ("Frequently Asked Questions" document) in order to better explain their position and activities.[4]
The World Bank alleged that there had been a "conspiracy" plotted to stage a high-level corruption in the project:
The World Bank has credible evidence corroborated by a variety of sources which points to a high-level corruption conspiracy among Bangladeshi government officials, SNC Lavalin executives, and private individuals in connection with the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project.
They have provided the Bangladeshi government with evidence of the corruption plot and stated that they couldn't advance forward with the loan if no action was taken:
To be willing to go forward with the alternative turnkey-style approach, they sought the following actions: (i) place all public officials suspected of involvement in the corruption scheme on leave from Government employment until the investigation is completed; (ii) appoint a special inquiry team within the ACC to handle the investigation, and (iii) agree to provide full and adequate access to all investigative information to a panel appointed by the World Bank composed of internationally recognized experts so that the panel can give guidance to the lenders on the progress, adequacy, and fairness of the investigation. We worked extensively with the Government and the ACC to ensure that all actions requested were fully aligned with Bangladeshi laws and procedures.
They also said that they sent a delegation to the Government of Bangladesh to seek an explanation from them, but the explanation from the Bangladeshi side was unsatisfactory:
... we sent a high-level team to Dhaka to fully explain the Bank’s position and receive the Government’s response. The response has been unsatisfactory at the time.
Investigation
Canadian court
SNC-Lavalin officials Ramesh Saha's diary had a list of Bangladeshi citizens who were to receive 10–12% commission for awarding the Padma Bridge contract to SNC-Lavalin.[5] According to her diary: "Padma PCC, 4% Min, 2% Kaiser, 2% Nixon, 1% Secretary and 1% Moshi Rahman." According to the documents, "Min" referred to former communication minister Syed Abul Hossain; "Kaiser" is former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury; "Nixon" is the prime minister's nephew Mujibur Rahman; "Secretary" is former Bridges Division secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan; and "Moshi Rahman" is the prime minister's economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman. Another 2% was kept for someone, but the name was not available.[6][7]
CBC TV
CBC TV of Canada performed investigative journalism, and they speculated that there was a wide-ranged plot of corruption in the project.[8]
Aftermath
The World Bank blacklisted the Canadian firm, SNC-Lavalin Inc, and banned it from any business for 10 years due to the firm's alleged involvement in Padma Bridge project corruption scandal.[9] Since the World Bank withdrew its involvement, the estimated cost of the bridge has climbed by over US$1 billion and the expected completion date is being pushed back by two years to 2020.[10] On 24 January 2017, in her speech in the parliament, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina blamed Muhammad Yunus for the World Bank's pulling out of the project.[11] According to her, Yunus lobbied with the former USA Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to persuade the World Bank to terminate the loan.[12]
Dismissal of charges by a Canadian court and Bangladesh ACC
In 2015, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigated the case after the World Bank continuously pushed the government to take action against the alleged perpetrators. After 53 days of investigation, ACC found nobody to be guilty. On the basis of ACC's report, Dhaka district judge court acquitted all the seven government officials who were alleged to have been involved in the corruption plot.[13] Before that, the ACC exonerated Syed Abul Hossain and ex-state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury from the allegation of involvement in the corruption conspiracy.[14]
On February 11, 2017, the Canadian court found no proof of the Padma bridge bribery conspiracy and the Ontario Superior Court acquitted ex-SNC-Lavalin executives, dismissing the case.[2][15] According to the Dhaka Tribune, Justice Ian Nordheimer rebuked the Canadian police, saying: "Reduced to its essentials, the information provided in the [wiretap applications] was nothing more than speculation, gossip, and rumor."
Since 2011 has SNC bid on any contracts that would involve the World Bank, will they do any bids before 2023? (despite Canada letting them off the hook)
