Statement on International Anti-Corruption Day

December 9, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, today issued the following statement:

“Corruption undermines public trust and the rule of law, disproportionately affects women and vulnerable populations, contributes to inequality and breeds organized crime. It is the greatest obstacle to economic and social development, and it decays the fabric of society.

“Canada strongly believes that preventing and combatting corruption is essential to strengthening trust in public institutions, ensuring respect for the rule of law, and preserving and protecting the rules-based international order.

“Since 2017, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act—also known as the Magnitsky Law—has given Canada the ability to impose asset freezes and travel bans on individuals responsible for gross human rights violations and significant acts of corruption around the world. Since then, the Government of Canada has used this tool to address instances of corruption and serious human rights violations around the world.

“Today, Canada reiterates its commitment to work closely with other governments, civil society and the private sector to root out corruption, build a global culture that does not tolerate it and hold corrupt wrongdoers accountable for the benefit of the world’s most vulnerable people.”