Conservative MP Stephanie Kusie (Calgary-Midnapore, AB) said the department of Public Works is responsible for protecting human rights when it comes to awarding contracts from the federal government. . OxyContin .According to Blacklock’s Reporter, Kusie mentioned that during a Commons Government Operations committee meeting. Kusie also proposed changes to a list of suppliers not eligible to work with the government due to integrity concerns..“What the current Integrity Regime does exclude is human rights, the rule of law and reckless disregard for the health and well-being of Canadians,” said Kusie. The code from 2015 threatens to blacklist suppliers who plead guilty or are convicted of crimes in Canada or abroad..Kusie proposed changing the rules to blacklist rights violators, regardless of convictions. That was prompted by McKinsey and Company, who'd previously paid a $586 million USD settlement with individual US states over promoting addictive OxyContin painkillers..“Given the moral and ethical breaches of this organization, it is astounding to me actually that McKinsey passed the Integrity Regime,” said Kusie. .“I recognize in the States McKinsey was not convicted of an offence, but I certainly think a $600 million payout over 49 jurisdictions is something that should make the Canadian government look twice.”.Kusie served notice of a motion stating the public works department, the largest awardee of contracts in Canada, must “exclude companies that have shown reckless disregard for the health and well-being of Canadians as well as human rights and the rule of law.” .Public Works Minister Helena Jaczek said she would closely monitor the outcome of the vote..“What are your thoughts on this motion that I have on notice, minister?” asked Kusie. .“We are actively reviewing the Integrity Regime,” replied Jaczek..“We are looking at it both for areas where perhaps it is too stringent and areas where it is too lax. You feel strongly in this particular case, it is potentially too lax.”.“The questions you are asking, the discussion at this committee, is all input we value,” said Jaczek. .“I can assure you we are taking the issue of the Integrity Regime very, very carefully.”.The Public Works department failed to meet its deadlines to implement a new Integrity Regime in 2018, 2019, and 2020. No explanation was provided for the delays. .The department introduced the Integrity-Wide Regime eight years ago to recognize and support suppliers who demonstrate ethical practices..“Effectively addressing corporate wrongdoing protects the integrity of markets, addresses barriers to economic growth and promotes fair competition to ensure job creation for Canadians,” the department wrote in 2019..The department granted exemptions to suppliers like SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., allowing them to receive sole-sourced federal contracts despite settling charges ranging from fraud to forgery, conspiracy, bid rigging and breach of the Canada Elections Act.
