Canadian foreign minister speaks out over corruption in Algeria visit

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Canada\'s Foreign Minister John Baird, left, smiles with his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra, during a news conference after talks on regional security and counter terrorism, in Algiers, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Baird is continuing his regional tour for talks on regional security and to discuss Syria\'s offer to begin providing information on its chemical arsenal. (AP Photo/ Sidali Djarboub)

ALGIERS, Algeria – Canada’s foreign minister is distancing himself from SNC-Lavalin, the Canadian engineering and construction company being investigated over corruption charges in Algeria.

Speaking at a joint news conference with his Algerian counterpart in Algiers, John Baird said: “This company does not represent all Canadian businesses, which give huge importance to ethics … It is obvious that they must pay for their actions through the courts.”

SNC-Lavalin is charged with awarding contracts in Algeria in exchange for bribes.

Baird said that Canada was determined to fight corruption, and added that his country recently adopted an anti-corruption law.

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