He was a crime reporter with Le Journal de Montréal, and he spent 42 years in journalism, starting out as a freelancer before becoming well known for covering organized crime, including years of strife between rival motorcycle gangs in the province of Quebec.
Over the years, he wrote on topics including the Mafia, union corruption associated with André Desjardins, criminal gangs and other topics, including the long and bloody conflict through the 1990s between rival Quebec motorcycle gangs, the Hells Angels and the Rock Machine.
In the midst of that conflict, around 11 a.m. on 13 September 2000, Auger was in the Le Journal parking lot when an assailant came up behind him and shot him six times in the back.
Despite his wounds, Auger was able to call 911 and summon help, and eventually recovered from the injuries, although doctors were unable to remove three of the bullets.
Auger's work was recognized with a number of awards, including one from the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression,[3] the National Newspaper Association and the Quebec government.