In the early 1970s, the Quebec government intensified efforts to combat organized crime, prompted by concerns over its ties to the Montreal underworld. The establishment of the CECO Commission in 1972 brought the operations of notorious mafia figures into the public eye, revealing their involvement in drug trafficking, gambling, and a shocking spoiled meat scandal. Despite significant revelations, many criminals avoided justice, highlighting the persistent corruption within state institutions.
The Quebec Government’s Fight Against Organized Crime
In the early 1970s, the Quebec government took significant steps to uncover the primary criminal organizations involved in illegal activities such as drug trafficking, gambling, and prostitution. The Quebec Liberal Party had long enjoyed financial support from the Montreal underworld, leading the Bourassa government to worry about potential exposure in a mafia-related scandal following their return to power.
At that time, Justice Minister Jérôme Choquette publicly expressed his commitment to eradicate the blackmail, violence, and extortion that plagued society, particularly in Montreal. His determination marked a pivotal moment in the battle against organized crime.
The Formation of the CECO Commission
In 1972, the Quebec government established the Commission of Inquiry into Organized Crime, commonly referred to as CECO. The commission’s initial hearings commenced in February 1973, allowing the public to witness the proceedings live on television. For the first time, citizens could see the faces of those orchestrating criminal activities in Quebec and watch as they were interrogated by the commissioners, reminiscent of the later Charbonneau commission.
Quebecers were taken aback by the blatant arrogance displayed by these well-dressed criminals. Until this point, the illicit operations of criminal organizations, including the Italian mafia, had largely remained hidden from public view. With each passing day, the commission unveiled the underworld’s intricate machinations, exposing their flagrant disregard for the community.
Unmasking Mafia Activities
Throughout CECO’s extensive hearings, notorious gangsters such as Paolo Violi, Armand Courville, and Angelo Lanzo were called to testify, alongside Vic Cotroni, the godfather of the Montreal mafia. Cotroni presented himself as a respectable businessman, claiming to have built his reputation in the entertainment industry while profiting from sausage and pepperoni sales.
The commissioners uncovered undeniable connections between the mafia and various criminal enterprises, including drug operations, gambling, human trafficking, and even the provision of spoiled meat to the public. These revelations shook the very foundation of the mafia’s code of silence, as those who dared to speak out faced severe repercussions, including the threat of death.
The Spoiled Meat Scandal
Investigators revealed a shocking scheme in which the Montreal mafia recycled meat unfit for consumption through businesses like Alouette Meat Market and O’bies Meat Market. This extensive operation implicated inspectors, civil servants, and even politicians, leaving the public horrified to learn that over half a million pounds of tainted meat had been distributed without quality control to butcher shops, schools, hospitals, and even served in hot dogs and hamburgers during Expo 67.
The four years of CECO’s work, particularly the spoiled meat scandal, laid bare the rampant corruption and power wielded by major criminal organizations in Montreal. The shocking truths unveiled during the hearings led Quebecers to believe that the crime lords would soon face justice. Despite the significant upheaval within the mafia and the Cotroni clan, many criminals ultimately avoided imprisonment, and effective measures to safeguard the integrity of state institutions remained elusive.