Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Comité permanent des comptes publics

For immediate release

Ottawa, October 01, 2018 -

Global Affairs Canada provided good service during crises, including online travel advisories, but needs to improve how it serves Canadians who run into trouble with foreign authorities, as well as those who face a higher risk of difficulty while travelling abroad. In addition, the Department was deficient in mandatory cyclical reviews, as well as assessing various communications and outreach activities, according to a report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts presented today by the Honorable Kevin Sorenson, Chair of the Committee.

In the spring of 2018, the Office of the Auditor General of Canada released a performance audit whose purpose was to determine whether Global Affairs Canada responded adequately to requests for consular assistance from Canadians travelling or living abroad. The audit found that the Department did not adequately perform mandatory cyclical reviews of its online Travel Advice and Advisories. It did not adequately engage the types of travellers who are more likely to face difficulties abroad or properly target such advisories and information. Moreover, the audit found that the Department was sometimes deficient in contacting Canadians who had been arrested or detained while abroad, and that such services varied from region to region.

As part of its report on this audit, the Committee has made seven recommendations to ensure the Department addresses these matters, so that Canadians—especially those that are or may be in vulnerable situations abroad—are getting the services they deserve.