Dismissed “for serious reasons” | A former manager sues Investissement Québec for 2.7 million

The former number three at Investissement Québec is demanding nearly $2.7 million from the financial arm of the State after his dismissal “for serious reasons” last November.

Investissement Québec then criticized its first vice-president of the regional network Jocelyn Beauchesne for having “violated a rule of governance”, as revealed The Press.

Nearly three months later, he sued his ex-employer for conduct deemed “offensive, negligent, hasty, closed-minded, blind, stubborn.”

Jocelyn Beauchesne, 56, denounces an “irregular” attitude showing “abuse and bad faith”.

“Unfounded,” says Investissement Québec

“We believe this lawsuit is without merit. We will present our version of the facts as part of the proceedings. But for the moment, we will not comment further,” reacted the vice-president of communications, Gladys Caron, in an email to The Press.

The state-owned company never provided details on the “rule of governance” that Jocelyn Beauchesne allegedly violated to merit her dismissal.

The suit against its former manager does not say more, but denounces “his ouster from the workplace, without notice or compensation”, on November 29.

According to the motion, Investissement Québec, “beyond already grossly abusive and very seriously damaging misconduct,” would have “prolonged the misconduct” by communicating with the media.

In fact, the state company had responded to questions from The Pressalready informed of Mr. Beauchesne’s departure.

“As a state-owned company, management considered that he could no longer hold his position,” wrote Gladys Caron in an email to The Press at the time. However, he did not derive any benefit for himself, engaged in any inappropriate behavior or harassment towards any individual and there were no consequences for customers. »

She added that Jocelyn Beauchesne would not receive “any severance pay”.

Contacted by The Press, the main interested party did not wish to give details. “Unfortunately, as it is in the hands of the court, I will not comment,” he said.

His lawyer Bernard Moreau simply assures that “Mr. Beauchesne categorically denies the allegations against him” and that he considers Investissement Québec’s comments “slanderous”.

Last week, The Montreal Journal reported that Jocelyn Beauchesne had organized a $115,000 reception for 335 employees with alcohol service at the Hilton DoubleTree hotel at Complexe Desjardins in November. The state company fired him a few days later.

His lawyer Bernard Moreau refuses to confirm or deny any link between the event and his dismissal.

“At the very front row”

The prosecution of Jocelyn Beauchesne, employed by Investissement Québec since 2017, underlines that he successfully “merged the operations of the regional offices” of the state corporation with those of the Ministry of the Economy.

The request adds that he has risen “to the very front row” in 2022, as first vice-president of the regional network. He had also accessed the management committees, credit and investment, before his sudden fall.

According to his lawsuit, the manager was responsible for some 200 employees. The document mentions that his total compensation amounted to $674,303, including bonuses and benefits.

Jocelyn Beauchesne’s claim includes 1.55 million in earnings for two years of service and 1.12 million in damages, notably for damage to her reputation.