A wave of contract terminations at the Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) has sparked political controversy, with former finance minister Colm Imbert claiming that over 11,000 CEPEP workers have been dismissed.

In termination letters showed to the Express, dated June 2024 and issued by CEPEP CEO Keith Eddy, contractors were informed of the immediate end of their agreement under Clause 15.1 of the 2022 contract. The company offered payment in lieu of notice and asked for the return of company property within seven days.

In a chaotic scene outside CEPEP’s headquarters in Ste. Madeleine on Friday, contractors showed members of the media the letters of termination, saying it was political victimisation.