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Anti-Corruption 2021: Canada Trends & Developments – Chambers Global Practice Guide

Author(s): Stéphane Eljarrat, Malcolm Aboud, Sarah Firestone

February 3, 2021

Corruption in Canada is regulated extra-territorially under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, and domestically under the Criminal Code. However, Canada has received criticism in recent years for its perceived lack of anti-corruption enforcement activity, which continued through 2020.

Particularly in light of increased pressure on Canada to enforce its anti-corruption legislation, as well as its repeated commitment to do so, and buttressed by the effects of COVID-19; recent implementation of additional enforcement mechanisms and authorities; and increases in fines and sentences awarded to those convicted of corruption offences or related crimes, Canadian companies should expect increased risk and enforcement with respect to bribery and corruption, whether foreign or domestic.

Given these added risks, combined with scrutiny of Canada’s anti-corruption enforcement, effective anti-corruption compliance should be a priority for Canadian businesses and those operating in Canada.

In this resource, Chambers Global Practice Guide: Anti-Corruption 2021: Canada Trends & Developments, authors Stéphane Eljarrat, who leads Osler’s White-Collar Defence practice, and Litigation Group associates Malcolm Aboud and Sarah Firestone, discuss the most notable trends and developments in Canadian anti-corruption law and enforcement, including:

  • Background to Canadian anti-corruption law and enforcement
  • Enforcement of corruption offences, including new enforcement mechanisms; increasing fines and sentences
  • Status of remediation agreements
  • Impact of COVID-19 and expectations for enforcement

DOWNLOAD PDF: Anti-Corruption 2021 Trends & Developments