GOVERNMENT SPONSORSHIP REPORT SENT TO RCMP
By Adnews Staff
Public Works and Government Services Canada has forwarded its first report on the Government of Canada Sponsorship Program to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The review was conducted by an independent forensic accounting firm, Kroll Lindquist Avery of Ottawa. The RCMP will assess whether further actions taken by PWGSC could affect any possible criminal investigations related to the handling of contracts within the sponsorship program. The report "has identified issues of non-compliance with the Financial Administration Act and Government of Canada contracting policies and regulations," according to a PWGSC statement. The review examined 45 sponsorship files, described as "the most problematic," and names seven individuals. Irregularities within the government's sponsorship program cited in the report include approval of invoices outside the contract period, approval of fees not in accordance with contractual stipulations, approval of invoices where deliverables do not appear to have been met, double billing and non-solicitation of bids. The administrative review will continue after the police assessment.