OTTAWA, December 9, 2011 — Corruption is a problem that affects all countries. While it's illegal under Canadian law for a Canadian company to bribe a foreign public official, in many countries where Canadian businesses operate, bribery is accepted as a standard practice.
Corruption erodes the fabric of society and hinders economic growth and good governance. It worsens poverty, contributes to instability and pushes fragile countries toward state failure. Unchecked, corruption leaves little room for democracy to flourish, freedom to expand or justice to prevail.
To combat international corruption, in 2007, the RCMP's Commercial Crime Program established two investigative teams, one in Calgary and one in Ottawa. Their mandate is to uphold the provisions of Canada’s Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, which focuses on a single offence: bribing a foreign public official.
Last June, following a six-year investigation conducted by the RCMP’s International Anti-Corruption Unit in Calgary, charges under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act were laid against a Calgary based, publicly-traded corporation, Niko Resources Ltd. The corporation pled guilty and was sentenced to pay a fine of almost $9.5 million dollars for bribing a Bangladeshi Minister in a failed bid to secure a bridge-building contract. Niko Resources Ltd. was also placed under a Probation Order, which puts the corporation under the Court’s supervision for the next three years to ensure they comply with the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act.
“Our Government strongly supports the international fight against corruption,” said Public Safety Minister, Vic Toews. “Corruption harms everyone—individuals, governments, businesses, and especially the poor and vulnerable. At no time can governments tolerate corruption at any scale.”
If you suspect a bribery-related offence has been committed, please contact the RCMP's Anti-Corruption Unit in Ottawa (613-991-4331).
RCMP International Anti-Corruption
United Nations' anti-corruption initiative
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Royal Canadian Mounted Police
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