Just before the holidays, the city of Montreal announced it was creating a committee to provide additional oversight into the awarding of contracts.

Today, the Mayor and the Minister responsible for the Montreal region announced how that committee will be made up.

The 10-person committee will be led by Jacques Leonard, a former cabinet minister whose held several portfolios including municipal affairs.

The committee also includes Roland Frechette, a former SQ investigator, the city's comptroller-general, and the chief inspector of the Montreal Police department, Mario Fournier. 

Mayor Michael Applebaum says the committee will be making recommendations to the executive committee on how it can prevent corruption and collusion from seeping into public contracts.

"That when it comes to corruption or collusion, we are doing everything in our power to make sure that it is stopped and the market is open," says Applebaum. "To make sure the city is one step ahead from anyone who is trying to swindle Montreal taxpayers," he adds. 

Meanwhile, Minister Jean-Francois Lisée adds all the measures the government is taking are a means to show crooks and swindlers that they are no longer welcomed here.

"Let's turn this thing around so that our reputation here is that Montreal is hell for swindlers."

The committee will submit its recommendations by April.