STRATEGIC PLAN 2018-2020
Transparency International Canada will continue its research, education and awareness raising on how Canadians can prevent corruption and what systems level changes are needed for effective anti-corruption measures. Transparency International Canada
Since its founding in 1998, Transparency International Canada (TIC) has been at the forefront of Canada s anti-corruption agenda. In addition to advancing legal and policy recommendations on issues such as beneficial ownership, whistleblower protection, public procurement, corporate disclosure, deferred prosecution agreements and corruption of foreign officials, TIC designs practical methods and information for business and institutions striving to manage corruption risks and serves as an anti-corruption resource, for policy-makers and practitioners across Canada. As the Canadian non-governmental organization with a singular focus on anti-corruption, TIC is committed to helping achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 to substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms; and, to develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. Canada is now in the midst of a monumental shift in societal expectations about transparency. Whistleblower disclosures, such as the Panama and the Paradise Papers, and the Charbonneau Commission have exposed the ways in which legal entities and arrangements are exploited to the public s detriment. For example, anonymous companies and trusts enable illegally gained wealth to enter the legal economy. These legal entities are used for money laundering, tax evasion, dodging sanctions, and financing terrorism, among other illegal and unethical activities. While the goal is to overcome corruption, the institutions that shape the legislation and regulations intended to counter corruption are often highly influenced by powerful interests that benefit from current systems and hide behind the fact that they are not doing anything illegal. Addressing the systemic dimensions of corruption can involve increasing preventative tools, changing attitudes, and identifying changes to current practices. TIC has 20 years of insight and experience into how understandings, concerns and the sense of urgency to scale up anti-corruption has grown. For TIC this understanding comes from the research reports it has released over prior years and from the global knowledge provided by other TI Chapters. Among current evidence of the Canadian effects of corruption is the analysis and recommendations in TIC s 2016 No Reason to Hide: Unmasking the Anonymous Owners of Canadian Companies and Trusts report. TIC will continue its research, education and awareness raising on how Canadians can prevent corruption and what systems level changes are needed for effective anti-corruption measures. Strategic Plan 2018-2020 Page 1
Our transformative agenda to end corruption is ambitious. TIC Vision TIC Mission To combat corruption by conducting impactful research, education and advocacy to embed transparency, accountability and integrity into all sectors of Canadian society. A just, equitable and inclusive world in which government, business, civil society and the daily lives of people are free from corruption. TIC Mandate Our transformative agenda to end corruption is ambitious. Not only does it mean addressing gaps in legislation, regulations and legal systems, but it also means being willing to challenge deeply entrenched interests. It further requires approaches that consider the complexity involved in designing anti-corruption strategies. It requires collaboration among the diverse but complementary authorities and actors to share knowledge, increase expertise, build anti-corruption capacities and mobilize the public willingness needed for successes. Page 2 Transparency International Canada
Who We Are Member of a Worldwide Movement of over 100 chapters. TIC delves into how Canadian business, government and other stakeholders can overcome corruption risks at home and in other countries. Transparent about what we aim to achieve, the rationale for our actions, and the basis of information we disseminate. Accountable to whom we represent in accordance with the values and practices we follow, TIC provides opportunities for engaging citizens and decision makers in anti-corruption activities. Independent TIC is a non-governmental and charitable organization governed by a Board of Canadians who serve to ensure independence, notably through yearly Directors declaration of absence of conflicts of interest. Autonomous and Politically Non-Partisan TIC single-handedly determines its programmes and activities. Therefore, no donor has influence over its order of business. Stellar Partner with those tackling corruption, TIC aims at gaining influence with key shapers of public opinion and policies by providing professional skills, knowledge, and networks. Evidence-based Undertaking research, alone and with other chapters in the global TI movement as well as Canadian organizations, to ensure programmes and actions are based on impartial evidence and direct TIC experience and impact analysis. Results-based Combining investigation and research in understanding the leading conditions and causes of where corruption occurs/can occur with methods and information that business, government and other actors can use to close loopholes, strengthen and establish institutions and counter impunity. Strategic Plan 2018-2020 Page 3
Strategies TIC will implement its mission and strive to realize its vision by working toward three core strategies across all of its programming and activities: Research Anti-Corruption. To identify systemic factors, evidence, opportunities and recommendations for combating corruption; and, to address legislative, regulatory and juridical gaps and loopholes to overcome or reduce corruption. Educate and Mobilize Canadians. Disseminate research results and convene learning events with government, business, the public and partner organizations to raise the awareness of Canadians about the effects of corruption on communities, the economy and Canadian values, and what actions can be taken to prevent these effects. Influence Change. Engage parliamentarians and government officials; business; private sector and professional associations; media; universities; social and nongovernmental organizations; and the public to advance the anti-corruption action plans arising from TIC s research, knowledge base and partnerships. Research Anti-Corruption Educate and Mobilize Canadians Influence Change TIC will implement its mission and strive to realize its vision. Page 4 Transparency International Canada
What We Do Provide practical methods and information to reduce corruption TIC generates, identifies and tests the feasibility of legislative, legal and other ways and means to close gaps in current policies and practices. It anticipates where there may be risks of corruption for government, business and other organizations. Raise Canadians understanding of the nature and effects of corruption TIC leverages its creditable brand to widen the communications, networking, partnership building and outreach of its anti-corruption knowledge, research and recommendations throughout Canada. Identify corruption trends and anti-corruption responses TIC works to respond in a timely way to emerging corruption trends, including emergency cases, with tools for assessment and intervention. Position TIC as an anti-corruption clearing house TIC is working to be the first partner of choice for government, business and civil society seeking independent evidence, impartial knowledge and practical methods and information for improving their anti-corruption policies and operating frameworks. Strengthen TIC s capacity to support anticorruption actions throughout Canada TIC is an autonomous, representative Canadian, member-led and financially sustainable organisation. Strategic Plan 2018-2020 Page 5
Priorities Some of TIC s areas for priority action will involve up scaling current programming. Others will be designed and tested in one or several locations early in the plan period followed by expansion across Canada, as resources permit. Over the three-year period of this plan, TIC will focus on six priorities. 1. Reduce white collar corruption and crime in Canada and internationally Establish Business Integrity Forums to engage businesses and private sector associations in applying anti-corruption best practices to reduce their risks and reputation exposure; Expand its annual anti-corruption Day of Dialogue to other Canadian locations; Promote greater board oversight and compliance to enhance a corporate anti-corruption culture and reduce corruption risk; Strengthen and expand partnerships with businesses and associations and senior private sector leaders recognized to be anti-corruption champions. 2. Strengthen anti-corruption legislation and mechanisms Advocate for the establishment of public registries of beneficial ownership so as to help counter money-laundering and tax evasion among other contributions to criminal investigations and reducing the economic and social effects of corruption; Promote the uptake of the concept, legal framework and recommendations for the use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements as proposed by TIC in 2017; Heighten the awareness of the important role whistleblowers play in fighting corruption and promote the strengthening of whistleblower protection; Engage with offices of public procurement to review and recommend standards and processes that can strengthen the fight against corruption; including but not limited to disbarment or penalties when organizations are found guilty of corrupt practices and bid challenge systems to enable losing bidders to contest decisions it believes were tainted by corruption; Call for stronger enforcement of existing laws and international agreements, such as the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act. 3. Expand government relationships Expand its current relationships with the federal government through the establishment of a government relations committee and functions; Strengthen relationships with law enforcement, such as with the RCMP; Establish relationships with provincial and territorial governments, adapting tools for corruption prevention to each context and creating complementarity across Canada; Undertake cross-jurisdictional studies to leverage conditions and experiences at the provincial and territorial levels into improved anti-corruption policies and practices. Page 6 Transparency International Canada
4. Inform Canadians on the many forms of corruption and the harm it causes Expand the individual membership base across Canada; Enhance the use of communications tools and technology in both official languages to make TIC reports, knowledge, events more widely accessible to organizations and individuals; Cultivate a wider network of volunteer experts and community leaders; Distribute widely TIC tools, such as its Anti-Corruption Compliance Checklist (3rd Edition) to both support businesses and other organizations striving to reduce their risks of corruption and to also assist individual Canadians and groups to assess organizations and parties of interest. 5. Work to advance the global movement Collaborate with the TI Secretariat and other TI chapters on Global Network Initiatives to enhance global research on corruption and contribute a Canadian perspective to programs such as the Global Corruption Barometer, Exporting Corruption Reports and Mining for Sustainable Development; Support the Secretariat and other TI chapters when a particular case arises involving Canadians, by supporting legal work, stakeholder engagement, and media campaigns. 6. Strengthen the Canadian TI Chapter Launch a membership engagement program to expand the public base that it represents; Develop and market a value-based corporate support program to both widen TIC s constituency and to create an annual revenue stream; Implement a resource strategy to strengthen the financial stability and sustainability of TIC; Implement specific communications, marketing and donor directed materials to establish a sustainable financial position characterized by expansion to meet growing needs, diversify to avoid dependence on limited sources and stability by cultivating multi-year, recurring contributions and partnerships. Over the three-year period of this plan, TIC will focus on six priorities. Strategic Plan 2018-2020 Page 7
Conclusion This ambitious plan is what the TIC Board of Directors considers realistic and achievable over the three-year period (2018-2020). It is based on an assessment of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It is based on the growing interest and demand from government, business, civil society and the public at large to lead the charge to fight corruption with the knowledge and tools needed for change. Page 8 Transparency International Canada
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