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Frédérik Plante

@fxplante.bsky.social
1.5K followers 351 following 60 posts

Investigative Reporter for @thestar.com. Got a tip? fplante@thestar.ca or fx_plante.01 on Signal. English/Français/Español.

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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Anna Mehler Paperny @mehlerpaperny.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
The share of Canadian government contract dollars going to U.S. companies increased under Carney, @fxplante.bsky.social reports: www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
thestar.com
PM Mark Carney pledged to ‘Buy Canadian.’ Since then, $7.8 billion in contracts went to American corporations
A Star analysis reveals U.S. firms dominated federal contracts despite PM Mark Carney’s ‘Buy Canadian’ promise.
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
National Newswatch @nationalnewswatch.com · 05/10/2026
PM Mark Carney pledged to ‘Buy Canadian.’ Since then, $7.8 billion in contracts went to American corporations, @fxplante.bsky.social reports www.thestar.com/news/canada/... Find out more at nationalnewswatch.com
thestar.com
PM Mark Carney pledged to ‘Buy Canadian.’ Since then, $7.8 billion in contracts went to American corporations
A Star analysis reveals U.S. firms dominated federal contracts despite PM Mark Carney’s ‘Buy Canadian’ promise.
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Mark Follman @markfollman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
NEWS: My new investigation uncovers the horrific ChatGPT history of the Tumbler Ridge school shooter. OpenAI’s chatbot fueled the shooter's violent fantasies and plans up to the day of the massacre. Chats about guns, timing of attacks, becoming infamous, and more. www.motherjones.com/media/2026/0...
motherjones.com
ChatGPT helped the Tumbler Ridge school shooter focus on guns, tactics, and terror, our investigation reveals
OpenAI’s chatbot fed the shooter’s violent fantasies and planning up to the massacre.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I joined @thestar.com’s Ottawa bureau today. I’m still an investigative reporter, now focusing on the federal government. My DMs are open and you can also reach out to me on Signal fx_plante.01 or by email fplante@thestar.ca
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Emma McIntosh @emmamci.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Health Canada has long said glyphosate is safe, even after a major study underpinning that conclusion was retracted in 2025. But soon after that retraction, Health Canada quietly stepped up its oversight of glyphosate, records show. From @fxplante.bsky.social and me: www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
Health Canada said this controversial pesticide is safe. Behind the scenes, the agency has ramped up its monitoring
There have long been safety concerns about glyphosate. The WHO concluded in 2015 that it is “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 18/05/2026
Star Investigation: Surveys touted as evidence of success for Veterans Affairs Canada’s $573M rehabilitation program excluded hundreds of veterans whose conditions worsened or failed to improve, records obtained by the Toronto Star show. #cdnpoli New from @fxplante.bsky.social:
thestar.com
Internal documents cast doubt on officials’ claims that most Canadian veterans are improving under controversial rehab program
Veterans Affairs Canada excluded survey results from hundreds of veterans whose conditions worsened or failed to improve.
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 06/05/2026
Star Investigation: The Toronto Catholic District School Board has refused to say why a convicted child predator was allowed to serve as chair of the council for two years — or whether it’s changed its vetting process. New from @fxplante.bsky.social:
thestar.com
Why was a convicted child predator allowed on the parent council of a Toronto elementary school? The board won’t say
The Toronto Catholic District School Board refused to answer questions, including whether it has since changed its vetting process for volunteers.
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 05/04/2026
Patrick Brown called out ‘absentee landlord’ after four people died in Brampton fire last year. But records raise questions about city’s enforcement #StarInvestigation
thestar.com
Patrick Brown called out ‘absentee landlord’ after four people died in Brampton fire last year. But records raise questions about city’s enforcement
Brown did not answer questions about the enforcement records, which appear to contradict what officials told the public in the days after the fire.
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 27/03/2026
Journalism job alert: The Narwhal’s Ontario bureau is excited to announce a new position for a reporting fellow to cover Queen’s Park and the ways policy affects people in racialized communities. Learn more and apply:
thenarwhal.ca
The Narwhal is hiring a BIPOC reporting fellow in Ontario
We’re hiring an Ontario reporting fellow to cover Queen’s Park and the ways Ontario government policy affects people in racialized communities
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
“Since 2020 Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed at least 1,100 Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank, at least a quarter of whom were children, UN data shows. No one has been charged over any of these deaths.” www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...
theguardian.com
Israeli former PM calls on ICC to halt West Bank ‘Jewish terrorists’ after prosecutions stop
Exclusive: Guardian analysis of settler violence shows no Israelis prosecuted since 2020 for killing Palestinian civilians, as former military, police and spy chiefs describe ‘organised Jewish terrori...
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 26/03/2026
Veterans Affairs minister announces ‘independent review’ after investigation into rehab program that former soldiers say has failed them New from @fxplante.bsky.social
thestar.com
Veterans Affairs minister announces ‘independent review’ of rehab program that former soldiers say has failed them
Minister Jill McKnight said the program is 'not entirely broken,' as many vets' rehab has been successful.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Read our Sunday investigation here: www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
They were injured in military service. Canada promised better rehab. Here’s why these veterans are still in pain
The program is run by the private sector, including a Loblaw subsidiary, for $570M. Ottawa says it can improve but is effective for most vets.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
NEW: Veterans Affairs minister announces ‘independent review’ of rehab program after @thestar.com investigation www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
Veterans Affairs minister announces ‘independent review’ of rehab program that former soldiers say has failed them
Minister Jill McKnight said the program is 'not entirely broken,' as many vets' rehab has been successful.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
This is a follow-up to our Sunday investigation, which you can read here: www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
They were injured in military service. Canada promised better rehab. Here’s why these veterans are still in pain
The program is run by the private sector, including a Loblaw subsidiary, for $570M. Ottawa says it can improve but is effective for most vets.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
NEW from me: Veterans rehab program under fire as MPs question contractor, federal officials about allegations www.thestar.com/news/investi... via @thestar.com
thestar.com
Veterans rehab program under fire as MPs question contractor, federal officials about allegations
Assistant deputy minister says Toronto Star investigation revaled 'serious and concerning' issues that Veterans Affairs Canada will look into.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
The story is featured on today’s front page:
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 22/03/2026
They were injured in military service. Canada promised better rehab. Here’s why these veterans are still in pain #StarInvestigation
thestar.com
They were injured in military service. Canada promised better rehab. Here’s why these veterans are still in pain
The program is run by the private sector, including a Loblaw subsidiary, for $570M. Ottawa says it can improve but is effective for most vets.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
For this @thestar.com investigation, I spoke with more than 40 veterans & healthcare professionals who denounced the rehab program run by PCVRS, a joint venture involving Loblaw. Read here: www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
They were injured in military service. Canada promised better rehab. Here’s why these veterans are still in pain
The program is run by the private sector, including a Loblaw subsidiary, for $570M. Ottawa says it can improve but is effective for most vets.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
$GSY stock down about 65% since yesterday’s announcement. Quite a dramatic, if belated, impact to our December investigation:
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
4/ Goeasy's stock is down almost 50% today: ca.finance.yahoo.com/quote/GSY.TO/ Story coming.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
goeasy Ltd. (GSY.TO) Stock Price, News, Quote & History - Yahoo Finance
Find the latest goeasy Ltd. (GSY.TO) stock quote, history, news and other vital information to help you with your stock trading and investing.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
3/ ... some of which were ultimately not collected, and also impacted the Company's reported delinquencies." This is consistent with what Ana Pereira and I found in our investigation last fall, uncovering delinquency suppression at LendCare: www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
Inside this Ontario loan company, concern grew as payments stopped. Its plan to keep bad debt​ off the books came at the expense of vulnerable borrowers
Pickering-based LendCare denied wrongdoing, saying the firm is “committed to openness, accountability, and strong governance.”
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
2/ it also said "management will address a correction of a historical reporting practice of LendCare" that resulted in "payments being recorded as received while they were in fact in the process of being settled at month end, ...
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
1/ TSX-listed Goeasy announced today a $178M "incremental charge off" in its LendCare business loans: goeasy.investorroom.com/2026-03-10-g...
goeasy.investorroom.com
goeasy Ltd. Provides a Financial and Operational Update Ahead of its Fourth Quarter Earnings Release
New Management Team Takes Action to Prepare goeasy Ltd. for the Future MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 10, 2026 /CNW/ - goeasy Ltd. (TSX: GSY) ("goeasy" or the "Company"), one of Canada's leading non-prime...
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 08/03/2026
Suspicious transactions at GTA crypto shops reveal alleged links to Iran-backed terror groups. Is the regulator doing enough to police them? #StarInvestigation
thestar.com
Suspicious transactions at GTA crypto shops reveal alleged links to Iran-backed terror groups. Is the regulator doing enough to police them?
FINTRAC says it rigorously polices the money services sector, has issued more than $200 million in fines, and is monitoring crypto activity.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Read my latest investigation here:
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 22/02/2026
She thought she was buying a warranty for her car. Instead, she and other LendCare customers were allegedly misled into another high-interest loan #StarInvestigation
thestar.com
She thought she was buying a warranty for her car. Instead, she and other LendCare customers were allegedly misled into another high-interest loan
A spokesperson said management investigates any allegedly misleading sales of insurance products, which are optional and meant to support borrowers.
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Emma McIntosh @emmamci.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
From the Star’s Jennifer Pagliaro, @fxplante.bsky.social and me: www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
A GPS tracker. Attempted insurance fraud. Alarming new allegations emerge in the Toronto police corruption scandal
One cop arrested in Project South is accused of helping an associate install a GPS tracker on a woman's vehicle so she could be followed.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Meant 2026 of course
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
I’ve been trying to respect strict time limits on Instagram in 2025. So far it’s paying off. What I read in January:
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
After a wave of officer suicides, the OPP vowed to do more for members’ mental health. Internal documents show the reforms have fallen short. My latest for @thestar.com: www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
After a wave of officer suicides, the OPP vowed to do more for members’ mental health. Internal documents show the reforms have fallen short
The OPP said police suicide 'remains a concerning and complex issue,' and the force has made 'great strides' in addressing it.
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 05/12/2025
Ontario should step up regulation of alternative lending industry, MPPs urge in wake of Star’s Lendcare investigation
thestar.com
Ontario should step up regulation of alternative lending industry, MPPs urge in wake of Star’s Lendcare investigation
The Star found vulnerable customers were duped by the financing firm’s merchant partners. The company said it’s “committed to responsible lending.”
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 04/12/2025
Inside this Ontario loan company, concern grew as payments stopped. Its plan to keep bad debt​ off the books came at the expense of vulnerable borrowers l
thestar.com
Inside this Ontario loan company, concern grew as payments stopped. Its plan to keep bad debt​ off the books came at the expense of vulnerable borrowers
Pickering-based LendCare denied wrongdoing, saying the firm is “committed to openness, accountability, and strong governance.”
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
5/ This is the second story w/ Ana Pereira looking into LendCare. In Nov, we found it partners with unscrupulous businesses across the country that prey on vulnerable borrowers through scams and other exploitative contracts: www.thestar.com/business/thi...
thestar.com
This major lender is accused of working with shady firms that prey on seniors and other vulnerable Canadians, duping them into high-interest loans
Pickering-based LendCare denies the allegations, says it vets potential merchant partners and is committed to ‘responsible lending.’
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
4/ LendCare also does repeat restructurings of loans to make them appear in good standing, again only temporarily. Former staff said they do this even in desperate cases where the company no longer has accurate banking information to pull payments.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
3/ But this creates a temporary dip in delinquencies, before payments bounce back after a few days. Former staff told me LendCare also hits settled accounts with surprise payments. They said the company even hits dead borrowers' accounts.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
2/ LendCare does so by running unexpected payments grabbing money sometimes earmarked for rent and other essential expenses. It often hits empty accounts, leading to NSF fees and further hurting vulnerable borrowers.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
1/ Subprime point-of-sale lender LendCare has been suppressing delinquency and charge-off rates to mislead parent company Goeasy investors, according to internal emails, court records and sources: www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
Inside this Ontario loan company, concern grew as payments stopped. Its plan to keep bad debt​ off the books came at the expense of vulnerable borrowers
Pickering-based LendCare denied wrongdoing, saying the firm is “committed to openness, accountability, and strong governance.”
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 30/11/2025
When surgery left her in crippling pain, she warned Ontario’s medical watchdog she was losing the will to go on. Did the regulator do enough to help? #StarInvestigation
thestar.com
When surgery left her in crippling pain, she warned Ontario’s medical watchdog she was losing the will to go on. Did the regulator do enough to help?
In the wake of Mei Lam’s death by suicide, some question why a doctor already on the regulator's radar for troubling conduct was allowed to treat her.
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 22/11/2025
She shut a Magna-owned factory down over extreme temperatures — then was fired. What the story of Grenville Castings reveals about Ontario’s heat protections
thestar.com
She shut a Magna-owned factory down over extreme temperatures — then was fired. What the story of Grenville Castings reveals about Ontario’s heat protections
The provincial government says its rules to protect workers from heat-related injuries is “robust,” but the tale of Grenville Castings casts doubt on that assertion.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
A @thestar.com investigation has found that high-cost lender LendCare is working with unscrupulous businesses across the country that prey on vulnerable borrowers through scams and other exploitative contracts. Read my latest story, with Ana Pereira, here: www.thestar.com/business/thi...
thestar.com
This major lender is accused of working with shady firms that prey on seniors and other vulnerable Canadians, duping them into high-interest loans
Pickering-based LendCare denies the allegations, says it vets potential merchant partners and is committed to ‘responsible lending.’
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Toronto Star @thestar.com · 21/11/2025
This lender is accused of working with unscrupulous firms that prey on the vulnerable. How borrowers say they were duped into high-interest loans
thestar.com
This lender is accused of working with unscrupulous firms that prey on the vulnerable. How borrowers say they were duped into high-interest loans
Pickering-based LendCare denies the allegations, says it vets potential merchant partners and is committed to 'responsible lending.'
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
J'ai écrit un essai dans @nouveauprojet.bsky.social sur l'accès a l'information et mon combat judiciaire contre le gouvernement du Québec pour préserver ce qui nous reste de ce droit, si important et mal-aimé : atelier10.ca/nouveauproje...
atelier10.ca
Accès refusé | Nouveau Projet
Dans les années 1980, le gouvernement du Québec prenait les devants et conférait à tou·te·s le droit d’accès à l’information. En 2025, il s’est battu pour l’éroder.
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Richie Assaly @rdassaly.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
“The relentless framing from Canadian media outlets, which are deeply complicit in Israel’s genocide in Gaza, is near unconditional acquiescence to Israel’s fallacious narrative,” Joshua Sealy-Harrington told @thegrindto.bsky.social. www.thegrindmag.ca/as-israel-ki...
thegrindmag.ca
As Israel Kills 104 in Gaza, Canadian Media’s Vague Language Shields its Ceasefire Violations
Canadian mainstream media coverage of Israel’s deadly airstrikes “an epic failure of both journalistic and moral principles,” says professor.
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Richie Assaly @rdassaly.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
NEW: Israel killed 104 Palestinians (and 46 children) in Gaza Tuesday, in a clear violation of the ceasefire. But mainstream media failed to accurately convey the severity of the moment, acting instead as a mouthpiece for the Israeli government. www.thegrindmag.ca/as-israel-ki...
thegrindmag.ca
As Israel Kills 104 in Gaza, Canadian Media’s Vague Language Shields its Ceasefire Violations
Canadian mainstream media coverage of Israel’s deadly airstrikes “an epic failure of both journalistic and moral principles,” says professor.
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
A new poll last month made waves when it showed 11 per cent support for the Republican Party of Alberta and their push to separate. Turns out the pollster and the party shared some DNA. New story from @emmamci.bsky.social and me. www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
A ‘jaw-dropper’ poll showed surging support for an Alberta separatist party. Turns out the polling firm and the party weren’t so separate
The Alberta Republican Party leader previously had an ownership stake in the same polling company that reported support for his new party was surging.
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Reposted by Frédérik Plante
Emma McIntosh @emmamci.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
New from @alexboyd.bsky.social and me: A 'jaw-dropper' new survey from pollster Cardinal Research last month showed surging support for the Alberta Republican Party. But neither the firm nor the party disclosed they have common DNA: party leader Cam Davies. www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
A ‘jaw-dropper’ poll showed surging support for an Alberta separatist party. Turns out the polling firm and the party weren’t so separate
The Alberta Republican Party leader previously had an ownership stake in the same polling company that reported support for his new party was surging.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
I contributed reporting on this series with an international team of journalists from 20 outlets coordinated by the @eicnetwork.bsky.social. Read my story for @thestar.com here: www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
How a lucrative, global internet scam traces back to this office above a Montreal grocery store
The network of websites, which reaped nearly $12 million in 2023, have left a trail of disgruntled customers who say they were swindled.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
Honoured that the #DirtyPayments series of investigations was shortlisted among ten finalists for the 2025 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism: www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pres...
europarl.europa.eu
2025 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism: ten finalists shortlisted | News | European Parliament
The jury of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism has shortlisted ten investigations for the fifth edition of the award.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
New @thestar.com investigation from me in collaboration with @eicnetwork.bsky.social as part of the #DirtyPayments series: How a lucrative, global internet scam traces back to this office above a Montreal grocery store www.thestar.com/news/investi...
thestar.com
How a lucrative, global internet scam traces back to this office above a Montreal grocery store
The network of websites, which reaped nearly $12 million in 2023, have left a trail of disgruntled customers who say they were swindled.
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Frédérik Plante @fxplante.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
2/2 et que les policiers qui violent les règles des enquêtes du BEI, ce qui est aussi arrivé à Longueuil, ne font face à aucune conséquence : www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
theglobeandmail.com
Quebec police violated investigation rules, faced minimal consequences after civilian deaths
Documents show violations occurred in 30 out of 312 investigations the BEI conducted. The Globe could find no evidence officers involved faced consequences other than warnings
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