Even as it copes with continuing fallout from alleged bribes by former executives that have led to federal fraud charges against the firm, SNC-Lavalin was buoyed by its selection, announced by federal infrastructure officials on April 15, as preferred bidder for a coveted public-private contract to rebuild a key bridge crossing in Montreal.
Some observers speculated that the government award to the SNC-Lavalin-led team signals a vote of confidence by the government and a likely settlement of the case brought in February. A trial date was pushed back to July 3 from earlier this month.