Canada’s Heritage Ministry Testifies on Anti-Racism Funds Given to ‘Racist’ Contractor

Canada’s Heritage Ministry Testifies on Anti-Racism Funds Given to ‘Racist’ Contractor
Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez rises during question period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Feb. 4, 2022. The Canadian Press/ Patrick Doyle
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The Canadian Heritage Ministry will change its contractor vetting process, it said at an inquiry Monday, after it had to cancel a contract with an organization accused of antisemitism. The contract was under the purview of the ministry’s anti-racism initiatives.

The inquiry found that other government departments had awarded multiple contracts to the same organization and that the heritage ministry has had to call in a third-party collection agency to try to get back funds already paid out for the contract.

Stronger Vetting

The strengthened vetting approach will involve not only a Google search of an organization applying for a contract, as before, but also of its members.