Transparency International (TI) Canada regrets that charges of bribery under Canada’s Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA) against SNC-Lavalin have been dropped. TI Canada takes some comfort in the admission of guilt of fraud from SNC-Lavalin’s construction subsidiary, the levy of fines amounting to $280 million, and a three-year probation period for SNC-Lavalin’s compliance and ethics programs.
As an organization that focuses on the fight against corruption and the damaging effects of foreign bribery, TI Canada is concerned that the plea deal limited responsibility to SNC-Lavalin’s construction subsidiary and only dealt with the fraud charges.
“Nevertheless, TI Canada urges prosecutors to vigorously pursue valid corruption cases under the CFPOA in future,” commented Susan Côté-Freeman, TI Canada Chair and President.
“The penalties from this plea deal must act as a strong deterrent to ensure no Canadian company thinks it can play the odds of not being caught for committing corruption,” added TI Canada Executive Director, James Cohen.
Despite SNC-Lavalin having now apologized for its grievous actions, there is no accountability to the people of Libya. SNC-Lavalin’s construction subsidiary’s actions have harmed people where these bribes took place in ways that cannot be measured in dollars. Corruption undermines economic development and good governance.
TI Canada believes that Canada cannot rest on its reputation as a good global actor. We must earn it, including through preventing and punishing bribery and corruption overseas.
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For media, please contact:
James Cohen
Executive Director
Transparency International Canada
416-488-3939
ti-can@transparencycanada.ca