Foreign Affairs Committee on April 30th, 2012
Evidence of meeting #34 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was countries.
A recording is available from Parliament.
On the agenda
MPs speaking
Also speaking
- Stephen Foster Director, Commercial Crime Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Gisèle Rivest Officer in Charge, Operations of National Interest and International Corruption, Commercial Crime Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Christopher Dunford Senior Research Fellow, Freedom from Hunger
4:10 p.m.
Director, Commercial Crime Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Not necessarily. It would depend upon how credible that information might be, what it might line up with, and what supporting facts or documentation might be related to the particular complaint. We wouldn't necessarily immediately try to interfere with what might be a contracting process in a foreign jurisdiction where it's, say, an improper use of the police. There is occasion for public mischief.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Bob Dechert Mississauga—Erindale, ON
Is there anything under the United Nations convention that would help a Canadian company in that situation? What I'm trying to get at, as I think you understand, is that Canadian companies every day are faced with these situations in which they know that in order to bid on a contract, their foreign competitors are making these kinds of payments. They don't want to make these payments, but they want to see a level playing field. Does the international law give them an ability to level that playing field?
4:10 p.m.
Director, Commercial Crime Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
In some respects, the complaint process might; it would depend upon the particular circumstances. If there were an organization or government department involved, it could complain to the government department in that foreign country, to the police in the foreign country, or to corresponding government departments or police in Canada. There are some international organizations that you could also complain to. If it were something that involved an international loan from a multi-jurisdictional-supported banking operation, you could complain to that organization as well.
With a sufficient body of evidence or complaints, I would see that being actioned and as levelling the playing field.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Bob Dechert Mississauga—Erindale, ON
In your opening remarks you said that the convention requires each member state to establish a permanent anti-corruption body to enforce appropriate policies and to gather and disseminate knowledge and assist foreign partners to fight against corruption.
Does the RCMP provide any information to the Canadian public on these anti-corruption measures and Canada's participation in this convention?
4:10 p.m.
Director, Commercial Crime Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
I'll ask Staff Sergeant Rivest to answer this one.
4:10 p.m.
S/Sgt Gisèle Rivest Officer in Charge, Operations of National Interest and International Corruption, Commercial Crime Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Just this last year alone we did 72 presentations. In attendance were more than 6,000 people. These are to companies, to the mining industry, to schools as well. We're trying to get law professors interested and incorporating it into their curriculum.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
4:10 p.m.
Officer in Charge, Operations of National Interest and International Corruption, Commercial Crime Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Yes. We have a pamphlet. I have a copy here, and you can get it on the website. We've distributed posters to make people aware.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
April 30th, 2012 / 4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Gary Schellenberger Perth—Wellington, ON
Thank you.
Thanks for your presentation today and for being here.
How prevalent are the issues of bribery and corruption in developing countries? What are the major challenges related to the work in these areas?
4:15 p.m.
Director, Commercial Crime Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Do you mean the prevalence in terms of what Canadians see or the prevalence in terms of what might be seen globally by other—
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
4:15 p.m.
Director, Commercial Crime Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
My understanding is that it can be quite prevalent. I don't have an actual measurement. Developing countries are at higher risk. Their public officials might not be paid enough and then are looking for additional sources of income. But I don't have anything that would tell you, here's the measurement of the risk in developing countries.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Gary Schellenberger Perth—Wellington, ON
Okay.
When it comes to bribery and corruption, it's not only in developing countries that it happens; it can also be happening in developed countries. Is that correct?
4:15 p.m.
Director, Commercial Crime Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Yes.