(Ottawa) The number of complaints and allegations received at Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in 2023-2024 jumped 97% compared to the previous year, according to a report that was discreetly released on the last day of work at Ottawa, Wednesday. Here are some of the cases detailed there.
Fraudulent auctions
An AMC employee auctioned four vehicles from a diplomatic mission for a price “well below [leur] market value “. The investigation determined that the employee sold two of them to his brother, and the other two to contractors with whom he had a “close relationship” that was not disclosed. The same employee also manipulated calls for tenders for certain diplomatic mission contracts, with the complicity of another employee. Both were fired.
Sexual assault abroad
An employee attended a reception hosted by a foreign embassy without receiving an invitation card. It was alleged that he left the event with two local women. Once in an apartment, he “administered drugs” to them by incorporating them into their drinks, then sexually assaulted them, it is written in the AMC report. Local police authorities were informed of the matter, and the employee was fired. One less of the approximately 13,000 employees of the gigantic ministry.
Mouse shakers
As of June 2023, violations were committed by 29 employees related to the use of unauthorized software called “mouse shakers.” This software downloaded by employees simulates computer mouse movement to give the illusion that the official is indeed active on the government computer network. One of these 29 employees was the subject of disciplinary proceedings and was temporarily suspended. The message seems to have been understood, because since June 2023, only four similar offenses have been recorded.
Illicit renovations
The demolition of the kitchen of an official diplomatic residence – therefore property of the Canadian state – by an employee was reported by a whistleblower. The investigation that was opened determined that the employee did not have a plan for the renovation project before starting to demolish the room. This “resulted in a significant delay between demolition and renovation, which caused employee stress,” the wrongdoing report reads. The case forced the government to pay for “unused contractor services” as well as reimburse meals for the head of mission, in the absence of a functioning kitchen. A written reprimand was issued to the enterprising employee.
Profanity and harassment
During the year 2023-2024, 290 complaints or allegations were made, all categories combined, and 129 investigations were launched. If the executives and employees targeted were sometimes hit with administrative or disciplinary sanctions, one of them preferred to resign – he “made inappropriate advances and comments of a sexual nature towards a [ou d’une] colleague “. The manager who uttered “profanity” was ordered to take training on harassment. And, for his part, the executive who “made an unwanted sexual advance and offered to send inappropriate images of himself to a Ministry employee” was fired.