The province's anti-corruption task force raided Laval city hall and the home of Laval mayor Gilles Vaillancourt Thursday afternoon.

SQ officers also served search warrants at two other city offices. One of which housed computer servers.

"He was surprised," said mayor Vaillancourt's spokesperson Joanne Bournival of the raids.

The reports say police are investigating the awarding of several contracts.

The president of the opposition Mouvement Lavallois, David De Cotis says they've been after Vaillancourt for years, calling for more transparency and questioning the way contracts are handled.

"We know that he's been giving contracts out without any tender," he said. "When we heard the news that city hall, the mayor's home [...] was raided by UPAC we were not very surprised. At the same time, very happy that all our hard work has beared some fruit."

Vaillancourt was not present at any of raids but through his spokesperson denied any wrong doing.  

Photos: LAURA CASELLA (CJAD), ÉDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE (LA PRESSE)