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ARTICLE · 25 FEBRUARY 2015

Canada Lays Corruption And Fraud Charges Against SNC-Lavalin

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After a string of charges laid against individuals relating to SNC-Lavalin projects in Libya, Bangladesh, and Montreal, these are the first Canadian charges to be laid against the company itself.

CanadaCriminal Law
Sabrina Bandali
Sabrina Bandali
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On February 19, 2015, the RCMP laid corruption and fraud charges against the SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., its division SNC-Lavalin Construction Inc., and its subsidiary SNC-Lavalin International Inc. under section 3(1)(b) of the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act and paragraph 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

After a string of charges laid against individuals relating to SNC-Lavalin projects in Libya, Bangladesh, and Montreal, these are the first Canadian charges to be laid against the company itself. SNC-Lavalin has stated that the new charges are "without merit" and that it "will vigorously defend itself and plead not guilty." This suggests that unlike previous high-profile corruption cases against corporations (Niko Resources, Griffiths Energy) which resulted in guilty pleas and settlements, this matter may well proceed to trial and produce the first Canadian case law clarifying the liability of companies for engaging in corruption abroad. (The first Canadian

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