At the end of 2021, the Prime Minister’s Office released the mandate letters of federal ministers. Mandate letters provide important information for Canadians to hold the government accountable on policy directions.

On December 9-10, the United States hosted roughly 100 countries for a virtual Summit for Democracy. The Summit was held by the US in recognition of the growing global erosion of democracy and increasing influence of authoritarianism. The Government of Canada made six commitments on anti-corruption actions. TI Canada welcomes these commitments, but would like to see more details.

On December 3rd, the End Snow Washing Coalition, comprised of Transparency International Canada, Publish What You Pay Canada and Canadians for Tax Fairness, submitted comments to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Earlier this week, James Cohen, Executive Director at TI Canada provided testimony to Ontario’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. This testimony was in relation to Schedule 2 of Bill 43, which addresses the Ontario Corporations Act.

Canada receives a ‘C’ grade with a score of 54/100 in the 2020 Government Defence Integrity Index (GDI) released today by Transparency International .

Transparency International Canada’s Executive Director, James Cohen, was invited to attend a press conference for the introduction of legislation to increase Ontario real estate. The Anti-Money Laundering in Housing Act, proposed by Ontario NDP Housing critic Jessica Bell (University-Rosedale), and MPP Bhutila Karpoche would require corporations, trusts, and partnerships that own real estate to disclose individual owners, with failure to comply resulting in fines of up to $100,000.

Closing arguments were made by participants in the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in B.C. between October 15th to October 19th. Among the participants was End Snow Washing Coalition, comprised of Transparency International Canada, Canadians for Tax Fairness, and Published What You Pay Canada. The Coalition was represented by counsel Gratl & Company.

Following the release of the Pandora Papers, an investigative report published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, Executive Director of Transparency International Canada James Cohen provided comments to CBC-Radio One program The Current.

TI Canada makes submissions with TI movement and the ‘End Snow Washing’ Coalition for FATF consultation on Recommendation 24: Transparency and Beneficial Ownership of Legal Persons.

On July 30th, 2021, a coalition comprised of Transparency International Canada, Publish What You Pay, and the Canadian Taxpayer Federation provided closing submissions to the Cullen Commission, British Columbia's high-profile investigation into money-laundering in the province.