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Laval condo project built without construction permits, ombudsman finds

Laval's ombudsman Nadine Mailloux wants to know why a major condo project was built without construction permits.

Mailloux has been dealing with complaints dating back to the long reign of former mayor Gilles Vaillancourt. In her annual report, she singled out one project.

"Twelve buildings having 10, 12 condominiums each that were built between 2004-2007 — that were built without any construction permit," she said.

The project on Place Trenet did have permission to hook up to water and sewer services, but nothing else.

"I don't want to comment on the investigation — but I think the city had signs the construction had started," Mailloux said.

The 12 buildings are several stories high and occupy former farmland beside a commuter train station.

There is no suggestion in the ombudsman's report that corruption played any role.

City to take action

Laval has been the focus of media and police attention since its long-time mayor Gilles Vaillancourt stepped down in 2012. He faces charges that include breach of trust, influence peddling, fraud and gangsterism.

Laval spokesman François Brochu said the city's looking into the issue.

"We're very sorry for the citizens who have to live with the situation and we will take action."

Brochu told CBC News that the city is considering issuing the construction permits now — retroactively.

Aldo Coviello Junior, the owner of Aldo Construction which was the company named by the ombudsman, said his company only sold the buildings — and didn't build them.

Coviello also added that there are permits for everything the company sells, including the project situated on Place Trenet.

The company says it has the permits in its archives and will produce them, but that won't be possible until next week.