Ted Raymond
CTV News Ottawa Digital Multi-Skilled Journalist
A former federal public servant, Marc Primeau, has pleaded guilty to a charge of breach of trust after his involvement in directing government contracts to his own business. The charge is linked to activities during his time working at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
According to an agreed statement of facts provided by the RCMP, Primeau, who worked within ISED between February 2016 and September 2018, directed 72 sole-source contracts to a company he fully owned, Access Security Logistix (ASL). In addition to these contracts, Primeau also competed for and successfully won six purchase orders valued at $231,668.48.
The RCMP stated that due to his position, Primeau was responsible for ensuring goods were properly received from ASL to ISED, yet concealed his relationship with the company from ISED.
Primeau was dismissed from ISED in February 2019, after which the case was referred to the RCMP for investigation. In 2023, he was charged with fraud against the Crown and breach of trust. As part of a plea deal, he pleaded guilty to breach of trust, and the fraud charges were withdrawn.
On August 29, 2024, Primeau was sentenced to a 24-month conditional sentence, which means he will serve his sentence under strict supervision in the community. Additionally, Primeau has delivered $90,000 in restitution funds to ISED, which represents an estimate of the profits he gained through the fraudulent activities.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by the RCMP to investigate and hold accountable individuals who breach the public’s trust and misuse their positions for personal gain.
