Fighting Foreign Corruption Act

An Act to amend the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act

This bill was last introduced in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session, which ended in September 2013.

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act to
(a) increase the maximum sentence of imprisonment applicable to the offence of bribing a foreign public official;
(b) eliminate the facilitation payments exception to that offence;
(c) create a new offence relating to books and records and the bribing of a foreign public official or the hiding of that bribery; and
(d) establish nationality jurisdiction that would apply to all of the offences under the Act.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Fighting Foreign Corruption ActGovernment Orders

June 18th, 2013 / 1:55 p.m.


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NDP

Alain Giguère NDP Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC

Mr. Speaker, Canada is in last place because it is the last country to pass this type of legislation. Our country has become a laughingstock. This government has known for years that this type of legislation is essential.

At the very beginning of my speech when I quoted what Judge Giovanni Falcone said about politicians, I said that there were those who are fighting the Mafia, those who are working alongside the Mafia and those who let the Mafia go about their business unfettered. Clearly, the government's actions in this case were not inadvertent or due to a lack of vigilance. This government knowingly allowed companies to engage in wrongdoing.

Diplomats at the Canadian embassy in Libya were involved in the corruption surrounding the Gadhafi family. That is unacceptable. That is why Canada is in last place and everyone knows it.

When it comes to making a quick buck, this government will support the corrupt, regardless of the long-term effects or the impact it will have on Canada's reputation. The government wants Bill S-14 because it no longer has a choice.

The NDP government will go much further. We will re-establish Canada's reputation of excellence.

Translated

Fighting Foreign Corruption ActGovernment Orders

June 18th, 2013 / 1:55 p.m.


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NDP

Hélène LeBlanc NDP LaSalle—Émard, QC

Mr. Speaker, I want to reiterate that the NDP has always been in favour of responsible, sustainable and transparent management practices. My colleague alluded to this during his speech, and I would like him to reiterate the NDP's commitment to that.

I also appreciated how he mentioned that it was up to each one of us to recognize our responsibility to adopt ethical and responsible measures.

Translated

Fighting Foreign Corruption ActGovernment Orders

June 18th, 2013 / 1:55 p.m.


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NDP

Alain Giguère NDP Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC

Mr. Speaker, that is a good question.

In many cases, the purpose of corruption is not just to facilitate access to the resources of a foreign country. Often it is used to bypass the basic rules of sustainable development. I am talking about anti-pollution rules, respect for workers' rights and respect for the right of local communities to live in a healthy environment without having to disturb modes of transportation or water supplies. All of these things are part of regulation, and corruption can deny these people their right to sustainable development.

Translated

The House resumed from June 14 consideration of the motion that Bill S-14, An Act to amend the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, be read the third time and passed.

Fighting Foreign Corruption ActGovernment Orders

June 18th, 2013 / 7:50 p.m.


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York—Simcoe Ontario

Conservative

Peter Van Loan ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, Bill S-14, An Act to amend the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, be read the third time and passed.

As spoken

Fighting Foreign Corruption ActGovernment Orders

June 18th, 2013 / 7:50 p.m.


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The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Does the hon. government House leader have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?

As spoken

Fighting Foreign Corruption ActGovernment Orders

June 18th, 2013 / 7:50 p.m.


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Some hon. members

Agreed.

As spoken

Fighting Foreign Corruption ActGovernment Orders

June 18th, 2013 / 7:50 p.m.


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The Speaker Andrew Scheer

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

As spoken

Fighting Foreign Corruption ActGovernment Orders

June 18th, 2013 / 7:50 p.m.


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Some hon. members

Agreed.

As spoken

Fighting Foreign Corruption ActGovernment Orders

June 18th, 2013 / 7:50 p.m.


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The Speaker Andrew Scheer

(Motion agreed to, bill read the third time and passed)