Question Period Note: Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise

The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) was created in 2018.

• The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) was created in 2018 as part of a strengthened approach to responsible business conduct (RBC) abroad
• The CORE is supported by appropriate resources and became fully operational in March 2021
• By providing a non-judicial dispute resolution process, the CORE and the National Contact Point for RBC serve as vital components of Canada's new RBC Strategy
• The CORE works at arm's length from Global Affairs Canada. The Office continues to examine new requests for admissible cases, while actively promoting Canada's RBC policies to Canadian companies and stakeholders

In 2018, the Government announced the creation of the CORE to further strengthen Canada's approach to RBC. The CORE's mandate is outlined in an Order-in-Council (OIC) and states the following activities:
· promote the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises;
· advise Canadian companies on their practices and policies with respect to RBC;
· review allegations of human rights abuses arising from the operations of Canadian companies abroad in the mining, oil and gas and garment sectors;
· offer informal mediation services; and,
· provide advice to the Minister on any matter relating to her mandate.
In March 2021, the CORE launched its online complaints portal. As of September 2022, the CORE has not indicated to the Department that it has taken on any formal cases.
Since Budget 2018, the CORE has steadily received increased funding to support its operations and staffing. Since 2021-22 the CORE's annual budget is $4.3 million/year.
The National Contact Point, Canada's other non-judicial dispute resolution mechanism, is mandated to promote the OECD Guidelines and facilitate dialogue and mediation for complaints made against multinational enterprises operating in Canada and abroad, in all sectors and for a range of issues, including those pertaining to disclosure, labour, human rights, the environment, bribery, consumer interests, science and technology, and competition.

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