The parliamentary committee, which is due to begin next week investigating the contracts awarded by Ottawa to consulting firm McKinsey, is not yet at the end of its troubles.
Because the secret is the hallmark of the illustrious company that over the years, operating in 65 countries, has allowed it to exert such an influence that it is difficult to capture all the impact.
That, at least, is the disturbing portrayal of two American journalists, Walt Bogdanich and Michael Forsythe, in a shocking book that should be on the bedside table of every MP, minister and deputy minister.
When McKinsey comes to town, he paints a portrait of an immoral empire whispering in the ears of despots and elected officials.
We can only take care of that here.
Trojan horse
The expression comes from a former senior boss who would have described the McKinsey strategy as such. If you can get your foot in the door, you need to reach out to the entire organization.
It’s hard not to see the parallel to the Trudeau government’s immigration goals.
McKinsey CEO at the time, Dominic Barton, headed the business advisory board that spearheaded massive immigration to spur the country’s growth. And McKinsey? Yes, she got lucrative jobs from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Because McKinsey has also extended its tentacles within National Defense, Health Canada to name a few.
Because the McKinsey recipe is also to have both. For example, in the United States, she received contracts from almost every pharmaceutical company, including tobacco companies, while working for the FDA, which regulates her.
Which companies here benefit from this potential double game?
McKinsey will use its “inner walls” to prevent conflicts of interest. you believe in it
Values
The uneasiness, therefore, goes far beyond the loss of know-how within the civil service, the covert influence on our public policies.
It goes to the heart of the values of the Trudeau government.
Because McKinsey isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty.
Corruption scandal in South Africa, contracts in Russia with sanctioned companies, close ties to the regime in Saudi Arabia.
Why would a government that preaches democracy, women’s emancipation and freedom of the press invite a company with such a troubled track record into its ranks?
At the very least, it’s easy to explain why Justin Trudeau appointed Dominic Barton ambassador to China in 2019 during the incarceration of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
The former CEO of McKinsey was the company’s pillar in China. After serving state-owned enterprises at the heart of China’s economic and military might, McKinsey has somehow propelled China into the modern age and helped President Xi Jinping consolidate his power there.
The same China we fear so much now. The same company that works on our public policy.
McKinsey has already cost us over $100 million. Whether there will be a political price remains to be seen.
