Municipal Affairs Minister Laurent Lessard met with the mayors of Quebec's big cities Thursday. (CBC)Quebec's Municipal Affairs Minister Laurent Lessard unveiled measures Thursday aimed at preventing corruption and collusion when cities tender large contracts.

Lessard made the announcement Thursday after a meeting in Quebec City with the mayors of the province’s nine largest municipalities.

The move comes amid calls from opposition parties for a public inquiry into allegations of corruption and attempts by construction companies to inflate the cost of public contracts.

The measures, which will be included in a bill to be introduced next week, are fair and will help prevent cities from being hit with huge additional charges after a contract has been signed, Lessard said.

The measures include:

• An obligation to inform citizens better about municipal contracts.
• Additional powers for provincial auditors, including allowing them to seize city documents.

• The government could order the cancellation of a contract, based on the assessment by auditors that it was improper in some way.

• A ban on the release of the names of prospective bidders before bids are opened.
• An obligation for municipalities to put in place a contract-management policy.
• Punishment for those who break the rules.

Lessard said he also hoped to have legislation by the spring that would force municipalities to adopt a code of ethics.

Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay, whose administration came under fire after allegations of improper contract tendering earlier this year, said he is in favour of tightening controls on cities. But he wants assurances the new rules won't put any unfair restrictions on Montreal's ability to deal with the private sector.

"Montreal should not be treated differently than other cities in Quebec," Tremblay said.Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay says Montreal shouldn't be singled out. (CBC)

The president of Quebec’s Union of Municipalities, Maniwaki Mayor Robert Coulombe, said the measures are welcome but perhaps unnecessary.

"No charges have been laid against anyone," Coulombe said.

Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume agreed, saying the problems only seem to affect Montreal.

Despite the promise of new legislation, both the opposition Parti Québecois and Quebec’s Federation of Municipalities reiterated calls for a public inquiry.

The federation said it is also disappointed the measures are aimed only at municipalities and do not affect professional associations involved with municipal contracts such as consulting engineers.

With files from The Canadian Press