Honourable senators, corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.

It is a reprehensible act that puts individual interests before the collective well-being, and it concentrates wealth in the powerful and rich over the rest.

The United Nations states that, “Corruption undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to governmental instability.” It is present in every country in the world whether it is apparent or not.

Yesterday was International Anti-Corruption Day but, let’s be honest, every day should be anti-corruption day. In 2003, the United Nations adopted its Convention against Corruption and declared an international day to combat and prevent it. Senators, we have a long way to go.

Just yesterday, we learned that two Ontario long-term care operators received $157 million in COVID-19 aid and had the audacity to pay out $74 million in dividends to its shareholders. Over 480 of their residents and staff have died, and families are denouncing a deterioration of care.

This was not illegal. It was actually allowed because our government did not put conditions on its financial support like other countries wisely did, therefore enabling this abuse of entrusted power for private gain, which Transparency International defines as corruption.

Since the start of the pandemic, it has been my belief that all the government’s emergency measures should be conditional and transparent. When taxpayers’ money — our money — is being doled out so generously, we must create binding conditions to prevent corporations from taking advantage of programs to line their coffers.

That means we need an open government and an open Parliament. It is our job as parliamentarians to make sure taxpayers’ money is being managed responsibly.

In the spirit of Anti-Corruption Day, I encourage all senators to reflect on better legislative mechanisms to protect Canadians’ money against corruption. Thank you. Meegwetch.