Beefing Up Canada’s Anti-Corruption Legislation

On February 5, 2013, broad amendments to the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA) were tabled in the Senate through Bill S-14, which will effectively bring Canada's anti-corruption regime more closely in line with the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by creating a "books and record" offence, and the UK Bribery Act by eliminating facilitation payments. Bill S-14 may move quickly through both the Senate and the House of Commons if the bill is given priority by the Senate.

If Bill S-14 is enacted into law as presently drafted, it will make the following six major changes to the CFPOA, which could dramatically affect how many Canadians do business at home and abroad. The changes are listed in order of priority of potential effect.