Transparency, anti-bribery and anti-corruption

Canada advances responsible business conduct abroad through its efforts to combat corruption.

Anti-bribery and corruption

The Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA), came into force in 1999. It is Canada’s legislation to implement the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. The Act makes it a criminal offence to bribe a foreign public official. Under this law, individuals and corporations can be prosecuted for offences committed in Canada and abroad. In October 2017, facilitation payments were included under the scope of the CFPOA. Facilitation payments are payments made to foreign government officials to speed up or facilitate routine transactions such as permits. In September 2018, a Remediation Agreement regime came into force, which is a tool available for use by prosecutorial authorities — at their discretion, in the public interest and in appropriate circumstances — to address corporate criminal wrongdoing.

The CFPOA reinforces Canada’s leadership role in fighting corruption and promoting transparent business practices at an international level. It also confirms the Government of Canada’s commitment to the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. Learn more about Canada’s efforts to combat bribery and corruption on the Global Affairs Canada website.

Transparency

Canada also advances responsible business conduct abroad through its efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the extractive sector. The Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act (ESTMA) was brought into force in 2015. This act delivers on Canada’s international commitments to contribute to global efforts to increase transparency and deter corruption in the extractive sector. ESTMA requires that certain businesses involved in the commercial development of oil, gas and minerals report the payments they make to governments in Canada and abroad. Further information can be found on Natural Resources Canada’s ESTMA web page.

Canada joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative as a supporting country and donor in 2007. The EITI supports improved transparency in resource-rich developing countries by publishing and verifying company payments and government receipts from oil, gas and mining operations.