After hiring a lobbyist to solicit public funds, Quebec cannabis producer HEXO yesterday registered three members of the company to approach the Legault government.
"The representations to the Ministry of the Economy are intended to have a participation of the State in the share capital of the company", writes the Gatineau company to the Register of lobbyists.
“This financial support would accelerate the company's innovation program and consolidate jobs at the head office. The form and amount of this participation remain to be determined, ”adds HEXO, the largest supplier of cannabis to the Socit qubcoise du cannabis (SQDC).
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Scott Cooper, CEO of cannabis producer Hexo
Shadow of UPAC
Yesterday, HEXO did not want to tell the Journal how much it was asking Quebec.
“As the only major cannabis producer headquartered in Quebec, HEXO speaks with government officials on a number of topics in the normal course of business. We do not disclose the nature of these meetings, ”said in a written statement his communications manager, Sarah Brown.
Last month, Le Journal had pointed out that the company gave a mandate of more than $ 100,000 to lobbyist Alexandre Meterissian, of the firm Teneo.
In mid-November, Le Journal revealed that the Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit will carry out checks on HEXO in connection with the presence of a close relative of the Hells Angels in his entourage.
The Bureau of Investigation also reported that the Minister of the Economy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, met Scott Cooper, CEO of HEXO, on November 8.
Yesterday, the office of the Minister of the Economy confirmed that there had been no other meeting with HEXO since.
- With the collaboration of Jean-Franois Cloutier