The federal government is redoubling its efforts to combat corruption and bribery by tabling amendments to the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA), announced Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird in Ottawa on Tuesday.
In its pursuit of "an aggressive, pro-trade agenda," the federal government wants to make clear that Canadian businesses are expected to "play by the rules."
On Tuesday, Conservative Senator Janis Johnson will introduce, in the Senate, amendments to the CFPOA in an effort to further deter and prevent Canadian companies from bribing foreign public officials.
"These amendments will help ensure that Canadian companies continue to act in good faith in the pursuit of freer markets and expanded global trade," said Baird.
"This, we hope, is a good faith sign that Canada’s good name retains its currency."
The CFPOA makes it a criminal offence in Canada for persons or companies to bribe foreign public officials to obtain or retain an advantage in the course of international business.
The proposed amendments to the act include:
Measures to make it easier for Canada to prosecute Canadians or Canadian companies for bribery in other countries.
Providing exclusive authority to the RCMP to lay charges under the act.
Removing the words "for profit" in the definition of business to ensure that the act applies to all business.
Increasing the foreign bribery offence from a maximum of five years imprisonment and unlimited fines to a 14-year jail term.
To date, there have been three convictions under the CFPOA.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/canada-crack-down-foreign-corruption-bribery-195125136.html
