The Canadian division of the anti-corruption group Transparency International (TI) has recommended that Canada join a global movement toward adopting deferred prosecution agreements for dealing with corporate crime.

In a July 12 report, the nonprofit group said the use of DPAs would have “the effect of promoting compliance and allowing for efficient use of investigative and prosecutorial resources.” Using DPAs also could increase transparency in resolving corporate crime and lead to more voluntary disclosures of wrongdoing by companies, the report said.

“Our view is that deferred prosecution agreements—so long as they are properly structured and include appropriate safeguards—can be an important tool for increased white-collar crime enforcement and lead to greater transparency,” said Mark Morrison, a member of TI Canada's board of directors who shepherded the report through the group's legal committee and then the board. Morrison is a white-collar criminal defense lawyer at Blakes, Cassels & Graydon in Calgary.