Corruption investigation creates 'turbulence' for superhospital
Public calls for more transparency at annual meeting
CBC News
Posted: Dec 4, 2012 7:18 AM ET
Last Updated: Dec 4, 2012 11:34 AM ET
The head of the McGill University Health Centre confirms he has met with anti-corruption investigators.
Normand Rinfret faced questions about ongoing investigations as the MUHC held its annual public meeting last night.
MUHC CEO Normand Rinfret faced questions about ongoing anti-corruption investigations as the organization held its annual meeting last night. (CBC)He confirmed investigators from the province's anti-corruption unit (UPAC) and Operation Hammer have met with officials from the MUHC on a number of occasions. Rinfret said he had personally met with investigators from UPAC once and is co-operating with authorities.
Ongoing media scrutiny surrounding the investigations have taken a toll on the MUHC as it attempts to garner public support for the ongoing construction of the new superhospital, according to Rinfret.
"It creates a turbulence, which creates a little bit of an uncomfort level," he said.
Rinfret said the community should try to remain positive about the project. At last night's meeting, he tried to focus attention on the future of MUHC, rather than its past.
"We've got a golden opportunity here which is to build a new hospital."
For Rinfret, the new hospital is an opportunity of a lifetime.
At the meeting, members of the public asked for more transparency.
Reports came to light in September that Quebec's anti-corruption squad was investigating the former human resources director of MUHC for allegedly defrauding the facility out of $1.6 million.
In a separate case, McGill University confirmed last month that it was suing its former CEO Arthur Porter for more than $300,000 in funds that were allegedly were lent to him as well as salary that was mistakenly paid out to him.
Rinfret succeeded Porter, who who resigned from his position last year.
Rinfret wasn't willing to comment on Porter's case.
"It is not for me, as the existing CEO, to pass a judgment on the past CEO," he said.
As for the superhospital project, Rinfret said that plans are on schedule and that doors will be open by 2015.
Share Tools
Latest Montreal News Headlines
- NDP MP Tyrone Benskin 'truly sorry' for not paying taxes
- NDP MP Tyrone Benskin has apologized for not paying his taxes and promises to pay back everything he owes, but has lost his deputy critic duties as a result of the news. more »
- Dachshunds strut their stuff as UN bosses
- CBC Montreal checked out a dress rehearsal Thursday for Dachshund UN, a Festival TransAmériques show featuring dozens of dogs impersonating members of the United Nations. more »
- Has Montreal's reputation taken a hit?
- "No water, no metro, no mayor, no problem" joke picture making the rounds on social media rings true for some Montrealers. more »
- Pierre's picks: 5 don't-miss events in Montreal this weekend
- Half Moon Run on the Lachine Canal, a collection of wiener dogs posing as UN reps, One Man Festival, bilingual comics switch mother tongues in the So You Think You're Bilingual show and Free Museums Day. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Royal Bank pledges not to outsource jobs for cash savings
- Royal Bank has promised it will never outsource a Canadian job to a foreign worker solely to save money. more »
- Washington police blame bridge collapse on Alberta trucker

- Washington State police say an Alberta trucker was responsible for hitting a steel beam precipitating a bridge collapse on one of the busiest routes in the American northwest. more »
- Man accused of killing child in patio crash granted bail
- Emotions ran high in a packed Edmonton courthouse Friday as Richard Suter, accused of causing a crash into a restaurant patio that killed a young boy, was granted bail. more »
- Senators' unlikely playoff run ends in Game 5 disappointment
- The Ottawa Senators can't hang their heads after a 6-2 loss in Game 5 ended their improbable run to the second round of the NHL playoffs, but questions abound whether their 40-year-old captain will hang up his skates. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- 28 students strip-searched at St-Jérôme high school
- Montreal lifts boil-water advisory
- Has Montreal's reputation taken a hit?
- Dachshunds strut their stuff as UN bosses
- NDP MP Tyrone Benskin 'truly sorry' for not paying taxes
- PQ wants to force federally regulated firms to abide by French language charter
- Alleged sexual predator's victims sought by Montreal police
- Lobbying saved Montreal's UN aviation agency, Paradis says
- Philanthropist, father of Browns Shoes, dies at 85

