T&T asks Canada for report on SNC-Lavalin

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The Express newspaper on Monday quoted Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal as saying that the People’s Partnership Government has asked the Canadian government to submit a report on SNC-Lavalin within two weeks time.

Ottawa wants SNC-Lavalin to build the Penal Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, which is being managed by the Urban Development Corporation of T&T (UDeCOTT).

“We have asked the Canadian government to review their choice of SL to undertake works at the Penal Hospital. They are completing their due diligence and will be in touch with us in two weeks,” the paper quoted Moonilal as saying. 

CBC News reported Sunday that Canada’s foreign minister John Baird has distanced himself from SNC-Lavalin, citing a report by the Associated Press from the Algerian capital, Algiers where Baird held a joint media conference with his Algerian counterpart.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, shown with his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra, said he's encouraged by the changes SNC-Lavalin has made. (Sidali/Djarboub/Associated Press)

"This company does not represent all Canadian businesses," the CBC quoted Board as saying. "It is obvious they must pay for their actions through the courts," he added.

SNC-Lavalin is charged with awarding contracts in Algeria in exchange for bribes. Baird said Canada is determined to fight corruption, and pointed to a recent anti-corruption law passed in Canada. 

A Tweet from Baird himself stated "any party who is found to have broken the law will be judged under the law." He added, "Canadian companies by and large represent Canada well abroad, and we are encouraged by the changes SNC continues to make." 

However, CBC said Baird's spokesman sent an email to the media stating that the news report of the minister's comments in Algiers "may have incorrectly attributed what the minister said".

CBC also quoted an email from SNC-Lavalin spokeswoman Leslie Quinton who said the company has taken a number of measures over the past year to reshape the company's ethical culture.

She said these include outside expert testing, agreeing to external verification, internal audits and co-operating with authorities on allegations against certain individuals, CBC reported.

SNC-Lavalin's reputation has taken a major hit since it disclosed in March 2012 that an internal investigation found $56 million in improper payments were made to undisclosed foreign agents.

Chief executive Pierre Duhaime was fired over the matter and later charged with fraud over millions of dollars in alleged payments relating to a hospital project in Montreal. 

During a February hearing, he pleaded not guilty through his lawyer to charges of fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud and issuing false documents.

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Boardroom blunders at SNC-Lavalin