While Canadians are smugly convinced that corruption is not a Canadian issue the truth is quite different.Last week I posted a series of references to Canada’s facilitation of corruption overseas.My posting today hangs a lantern on corruption on our home front.Here we learn about its convergence among government industry and organized crime.Am I the only cynic? That was my reaction when I learned that SNC-Lavalin, one of Canada’s preeminent companies who has been globally implicated in corrupt activities and is now under police investigation has only this week decided to launch an ethics and compliance program!!!

From the Wall Street Journal we are learning that Canada has many miles to go in “solving” its issues and has only really begun to put teeth in its efforts.Another perspective and analysis on Canada’s mediocre efforts to seriously deal with corruption is provided here by Nevil Hunt.In contrast the Strikeman Elliot folks argue that the Government of Canada is adopting a more robust approach and may actually be beginning to turn the corner.

What do you say?

“What sort of punishment should be handed out to a Canadian cabinet minister who, judging by an auditor-general’s report, was found in clear breach of federal policies on accountability?”

MiningWatch Canada and several other organizations said Monday they welcome news that Blackfire Exploration Ltd. is under investigation by the RCMP for allegedly paying bribes to a local politician in Mexico.

High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a satirical poem written by a Tibetan blogger and posted on their TibetCul blog on May 4, 2011.

A new article
At a time when a section of Indian society is disillusioned with the slow pace of democratic development as compared to the China model, Chinese netizens are pointing out that Indians, at least, are empowered to change and criticise their government.