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Taking on organized crime

Broadcast Date: Dec. 9, 1974

After graduating in law from Laval University in 1964, Brian Mulroney starts working for the prestigious Montreal law firm of Howard, Cate, Ogilvy et al. He quickly builds a reputation as a successful labour lawyer. In 1974 Mulroney is appointed to the Royal Commission investigating corruption in the Quebec construction industry. The Cliche Commission makes headlines across Canada for its unflinching investigations into organized crime.

The highly publicized commission thrusts the perfectly bilingual Mulroney into the limelight. But it also leads to some unwelcome attention: death threats. Mulroney tells CBC Radio about one particular threat his wife Mila has received: "Your husband has a big mouth," she was told, "but we have a bigger shotgun to fill it."

Taking on organized crime

• Premier Robert Bourassa appointed the Cliche Commission in 1974 due to increasing tension between rival labour unions at the James Bay hydroelectric construction site.
• The three-member Cliche Commission was headed by former NDP leader and judge Robert Cliche along with Guy Chevrette, leader of the teachers' union and Parti Québécois supporter, and Mulroney. All three members received death threats.

• Brian Mulroney described Quebec's construction industry as "one of the most outrageous labour-relation situations in North America."
• Robert Cliche was Mulroney's law professor and mentor at Laval University. It was Cliche who recommended his former student to Premier Bourassa for the commission.

• After hearing 279 witnesses over 80 days, the Cliche Commission published a 600-page report in May 1975. The report was praised for being hard-hitting and courageous. Premier Bourassa restructured the construction industry commission and created a strong and unified management body as recommended by the report.

Taking on organized crime

Medium: Radio

Program: Five Nights

Broadcast Date: Dec. 9, 1974

Guest(s): Brian Mulroney

Duration: 2:18

Last updated:
Nov. 1, 2004