Anti-corruption efforts

Transparency laws will release money to tackle poverty

Topics: 
Europe, Anti-corruption efforts, Legislation, Resources industry, Oil & gas industry
Rating: 
2

The European Council and Parliament has reached a historic agreement on transparency legislation so that extractive industry companies will publish what they pay in countries where they operate.

The legislation will help in the global fight against corruption, as well as releasing resources for development in an international context where alternatives to aid are increasingly needed. Natural resource revenues are crucial in the fight against poverty. In 2010 exports of oil, minerals and gas to Africa were nearly seven times what the continent received in international aid.

SNC-Lavalin hires former Watergate investigator to advise on anti-corruption

Topics: 
Corporate ethics, Anti-corruption efforts, Construction industry
Rating: 
4

Nicolas Van Praet – January 24, 2013

Canadian engineering giant SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. has hired Watergate investigator Michael Hershman to advise the company on anti-corruption issues as it takes steps to strengthen its business practices amid ongoing police investigations.

Mr. Hershman has been retained as an independent compliance advisor to SNC president and chief executive officer Robert Card, the company confirmed Thursday. He will be part of a group of experts and advisors offering counsel to the CEO on specific procedures related to compliance, governance and anti-corruption.

With Nortel verdict, RCMP's fraud unit racks up dismal conviction record

Topics: 
White-collar crime, RCMP, IMET, Anti-corruption efforts
Rating: 
3

Jeff Gray – January 14, 2013

The RCMP’s white-collar crime investigators announced criminal charges in two high-profile cases of alleged fraud in Toronto on the same day in 2008: One against former executives at the helm of Nortel Networks Corp., and the other targeting former executives of Royal Group Technologies Ltd.

These two high-profile cases were seen as signs that the Mounties’ Integrated Market Enforcement Teams (IMET) were finally starting to hook large fish and combatting Canada’s reputation as a place where corporate crimes went unpunished.

ORNGE sets up policy to protect whistleblowers in wake of scandal

Topics: 
Charities & non-profits, Anti-corruption efforts, Corporate ethics, Health care
Rating: 
3

Kevin Donovan – December 27, 2012

ORNGE employees who want to blow the whistle on poor company practices can do so without fear of discipline or being fired, the air ambulance firm announced Thursday. In setting up its new “whistleblower policy,” ORNGE hopes to avoid the problems that the former management’s secrecy allowed to fester.

“We are truly committed to continuous improvement at ORNGE, and that means everyone should feel free to come forward with concerns, without fear of reprisal,” said Ron McKerlie, interim president and CEO of ORNGE. “Our new whistleblower policy will promote integrity throughout the organization.”

Ornge implements policy to protect whistleblowers

Topics: 
Charities & non-profits, Health care, Anti-corruption efforts, Ontario
Rating: 
0

December 27, 2012

Ontario's embattled air ambulance service says it is taking steps to protect whistleblowers as it strives to bounce back from a series of scandals, including a criminal investigation.

Ornge says it is implementing a new whistleblower policy that will allow employees to voice their concerns in a confidential manner without fear of reprisal.

Quebec anti-corruption squad arrested 49 people

Topics: 
Quebec, Anti-corruption efforts
Rating: 
4

Associated Press – December 19, 2012

Quebec’s anti-corruption squad has produced a list of its activities from 2012 — and what a list it is. Forty-nine people arrested. Criminal charges against 13 companies. One-hundred and seventy-seven different charges laid. And arrest warrants issued 450 times.

Those are the numbers laid out at a news conference today by Robert Lafreniere, head of the provincial unit created last year. But he suggests his squad is just getting warmed up.

Protecting Whistleblowers at the UN

Topics: 
United Nations, Anti-corruption efforts
Rating: 
2

Shelley Walden – November 12, 2012

The United Nations promotes the rule of law around the world, especially in its peacekeeping missions.

But while the UN advocates for frameworks through which people, institutions, and nations are held accountable under laws that meet human rights standards, a new study has found that it needs to do more to uphold the rule of law effectively within the organization itself.

Canada and the international anti-corruption landscape

Topics: 
Foreign corrupt practices legislation, Anti-corruption efforts
Rating: 
0

Anthony J. Cole & Christine E. Silverberg – November 26, 2012

There is no shortage of voices telling corporations in Canada that a new dawn of anti-bribery enforcement has arrived. In support of this claim, many cite a fairly recent flurry of activity from the two RCMP international anti-corruption teams set up in 2008 to lead Canada’s international anti- bribery efforts (one in Calgary, the other in Ottawa).

But are Canadian businesses really facing a brave new world of anti-bribery enforcement, or is there nothing of substance covering an embarrassing reality for Canada’s law-enforcers?

RCMP sets sights on white-collar crime

Topics: 
RCMP, White-collar crime, Anti-corruption efforts
Rating: 
4
The following are selected extracts

Douglas Quan – November 25, 2012

The RCMP is hoping that a new strategy of going after crooked securities lawyers, investment advisers and stock brokers as if they were drug dealers and mobsters will turn around the fortunes of its white-collar crime units.

Formed almost a decade ago, the force’s Integrated Market Enforcement Teams have struggled to produce results. As of last week, they had secured criminal convictions against 11 people, according to data provided by the force.  Twenty-nine others have cases pending before the courts.

Russian farmer fights corruption

Topics: 
Russia, Anti-corruption efforts, Whistleblowers
Rating: 
2

Max Seddon – November 22, 2012

When Eduard Mochalov tried to have the people who stole his cattle and pig farm brought to justice, he spent eight months in jail on charges he says were cooked up. He appealed to Vladimir Putin and even set himself on fire outside the Kremlin in protest, but still couldn't draw attention to his cause as his farm slowly fell into disrepair.

Now, Mochalov has found a new life as a crusading journalist investigating corruption in his native region, fuelled by tips from disgruntled businessmen and government workers.

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