Canada slipped one point and one position in the 2018 Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI), tying for 9thranking with a score of 81 out of 100.
While Canada still enjoys a top 10 ranking thanks to strong institutions and rule of law, the CPI score reflects what many Canadians already know; our country is not perfect by any means. From allegations of bread price fixing to the continued unpacking of the ‘Vancouver Model’, Canadians experienced the impact of collusion, money laundering, undue influence, and other activities that undermine the rule of law in 2018.
Corruption is not a victimless crime. Canadians feel the impact in inflated prices from food to housing. In its most corrosive effects, corruption helps fuel the opioid crisis through the exploitation of loopholes in Canada’s anti-money laundering regime.
Canadians also suffers from corruption through the loss of trust in public institutions. Every scandal adds to cynicism and a sense that the rules of the game are fixed for the powerful.
For a deeper look into Canadian’s thoughts on corruption, in 2018 TI Canada released our first domestic public perception survey, the Western Canada Corruption Barometer. Western Canadians’ responses to the survey reflected mistrust in institutions. Federal level politics – e.g. political parties and government – had over 40% of the public believing it is affected by corruption. Provincial level politics faired only slightly better as a whole, and Canada’s business sector was perceived by 39% of Western Canadians as being subject to corruption. In one of the most prominent examples of the convergence of perceptions and direct impact, 37% of Vancouverites described the real estate sector as ‘extremely corrupt’.
“When I speak to Canadians about fighting corruption, I often hear back ‘good luck’”, says TI Canada Executive Director, James Cohen. “This response acknowledges there is corruption in Canada, but sadly also shows that Canadians think it is too entrenched or controlled by powers beyond them.”
A silver lining from the Western Canada Corruption Barometer is that the vast majority of those interviewed said that they would help a colleague or friend in their fight against corruption, or report corruption themselves. Western Canadians would also sign petitions and pay more to buy from companies they deem clean.
“Importantly, in the fight against corruption, Canadians need to see that change can happen, that accountability, transparency, and integrity can be improved,” said Cohen. “Corruption can be complicated to untangle, but its not impossible. It just takes dedication and action.”
The unfolding developments of the ‘Vancouver Model’ of money laundering is an example of a challenge that can seem overwhelming, but rule changes in BC gaming, and proposed legislation on beneficial ownership transparency can bring necessary systems level changes. While there are few silver bullet solutions to fighting corruption, Canadians must stay vigilant in maintaining the rule of law and democratic institutions.
“There’s an infamous saying that ‘corruption greases the wheels of bureaucracy’” said Cohen, “but I would say apathy and cynicism keep the path of corruption paved. We need to make sure path doesn’t go further down the CPI.”
For comment, please contact
ti-can@transparencycanada.ca
416-488-3939
For the full TI 2018 CPI results, please click here.
For the Western Canada Corruption Barometer, please click here.