On July 3rd 2015, the Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) introduced its revamped procurement Integrity Regime. The Regime replaces the former Integrity Framework, which had been subject to criticism. Transparency International Canada had provided its recommendations on how the Integrity Framework could be improved. Our comments, contained in a February 2015 letter to Public Works Minister Diane Finley focused on how to make the Integrity Framework more fair, transparent and effective in combatting bribery. We stressed that an updated Integrity Framework needed to account for the principles of procedural fairness, due process and transparency - particularly in the area of supplier debarment. Such recommendations were intended to promote fair and effective procurement processes and to ensure that the Integrity Framework enjoyed broad public and industry support as a legitimate tool for combatting corruption and bribery.While TI Canada welcomes many of PWGSC’s changes to the new Integrity Regime, we note that PWGSC has still fallen short in implementing some of our key recommendations.See complete response.
