At Last, Communities Impacted by Canadian Corporations Overseas Will Be Heard: Government Creates Human Rights Watchdog

OTTAWA, Jan. 17, 2018 /CNW/ - The Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA) is greatly encouraged by the Minister of International Trade's announcement of the creation of a Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. The human rights ombudsperson will investigate complaints concerning the overseas operations of Canadian companies and will issue public findings on allegations of harm. The office will make recommendations for redress; regarding corporate eligibility for government services; and with respect to policy and law reform.

"Over the years, cases of real concern have mounted, involving worrying allegations that Canadian mining and other companies have been responsible for serious human rights abuses in countries around the world," said Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada. "At long last there will be a body and process in place to hold Canadian companies accountable for human rights in their overseas operations."

"Sexual violence against women - especially Indigenous women - has been associated with Canadian commercial projects overseas," said Jean Symes of Inter Pares. "This government's feminist foreign policy needs an ombudsperson who will address the violence that has happened in the past, and work to deter it in the future." 

"Our primary goal in working for the creation of this office has been to ensure access to remedy for the mining-affected people," said Catherine Coumans of MiningWatch Canada. "In nearly 20 years we have seen the level of human rights abuses and mining-related conflict increase globally as companies push deeper into remote areas and onto the lands of Indigenous peoples."

"The credibility of this new office depends on its power to access relevant information," said Karyn Keenan, Director of Above Ground. "The ombudsperson office must be equipped with the tools needed to compel corporate disclosure."

"Canada's new corporate accountability watchdog must be transparent and free from political interference when seeking information on company activities that impact local communities," said Ian Thomson, Extractive Industries Policy Specialist of Oxfam Canada.

"Individuals and communities impacted by Canadian mining operations around the world are counting on this office to prevent and redress human rights abuse by Canadian companies," said Reverend Jordan Cantwell, Moderator of The United Church of Canada.

"Canadians have been asking for the creation of an ombudsperson since 2006," said Serge Langlois, Executive Director of Development and Peace-Caritas Canada. "Today's announcement responds to a decade of actions by over 500,000 Canadians calling on the government to create an ombudsperson."

"The CNCA wants to ensure that the new human rights ombudsperson has the powers and independence necessary to secure its credibility with all stakeholders, including the overseas communities impacted by Canadian companies," said Emily Dywer of the CNCA.

An effective ombudsperson office will help position Canada as a global leader in business and human rights.

SOURCE Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA)

For further information: Media contacts: Emily Dwyer, Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability, Cell: [phone], [e-mail]; Stéphanie Gervais, Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability, Tel: [phone], ext 25, [e-mail]