Audit finds consistent ‘irregularities’ in foreign affairs department’s hiring of consultants

The Canadian Press / Adrian Wyld

As the Trudeau Liberals continue to face criticism for spending huge sums of taxpayer dollars on pricy consultants, a recent audit has revealed "routine irregularities" in consulting contracts involving Melanie Joly's department, according to reporting from Blacklock's.

Covering the timeframe from 2018-2023, the audit found that the foreign affairs minister's department "signed more than 8,000 consulting service contracts totalling $567 million to support the delivery of its programs."

As further detailed by Blacklock's, the audit found that 26% of the contracts did not abide by the rules of the Financial Administration Act. Violations included instances in which "the signed contract was not provided," and "contracts were being signed after the services were rendered."

McKinsey & Company has received $116.8 million in taxpayer-funded contracts from the Trudeau Liberals since 2015. Over the past decade, the Department of National Defence (DND) has given the consulting firm $30 million.https://t.co/XnvlDKeDFm

— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) January 17, 2024

The review reportedly uncovered one situation in which a contract was approved by "an individual who benefited from the transaction."

The audit was launched due to increasing public scrutiny over the billions of dollars of consulting contracts handed out during Justin Trudeau's time in office. 

In one instance, the federal Liberals have awarded the consulting firm McKinsey over $100M in contracts since Justin Trudeau became prime minister in 2015, reports CBC.

Pierre Poilievre grills Justin Trudeau over his government awarding $100M+ consulting contracts to McKinsey, telling the PM that while his 'friends at McKinsey are rolling in cash,' average Canadians are struggling.

PETITION: https://t.co/qgwxPHlVcE. pic.twitter.com/ywYShDzi6a

— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) January 31, 2023

The Budget Office estimates that spending on consultants will cost taxpayers approximately $21.6B this year.

The Trudeau Liberals' spending was further put under the microscope after it was revealed almost $670,000 was awarded to consulting firm KPMG for advice on how to reduce costs on consulting.

Despite cabinet pledges to reduce spending on consultants, a report last year revealed that the amount spent on consulting contracts has increased in six out of the previous eight years.