Changes To Anti-Corruption Legislation Give Federal Government New Powers

Amendments to Canadian anti-bribery legislation drastically increase the Federal Government's ability to lay corruption charges and the penalties for conviction.

Recent amendments to Canada's Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (the "Act") give added weight to the anti-bribery Act which was formerly riddled with loopholes. The amendments expanded the scope of "corruption" constituting an offence and improved the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's (the "RCMP") ability to crack down on offenders.

The four most significant amendments to the Act passed by Parliament on June 19, 2013 are:

1. Increased penalties for offences committed under the Act;
2. Expanded the scope of the offence of bribery, now including facilitation payments;