Question Period Note: Responsible Business Conduct Abroad

Canada's approach to Responsible Business conduct (RBC) for Canadian companies active abroad.

• Canada is committed to Responsible Business Conduct. Responsible business conduct abroad should be seen as a competitive advantage for Canadian business.
• The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards.
• The Government of Canada is committed to promoting best practices, preventing and identifying problems before they escalate, and to offer effective dispute resolution to find solutions.
• The first Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise was appointed in April 2019. Her mandate includes reviewing allegations of human rights abuses arising from Canadian company operations abroad in the mining, oil and gas and garment sectors.
• The Ombudsperson's mandate complements the existing National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, a voluntary, non-judicial grievance mechanism established in 2000 to facilitate dialogue between parties, for all sectors and for a range of issues.

Canada's approach to responsible business conduct (RBC) reinforces Canadian leadership and best practices by promoting and advancing RBC guidelines; supporting RBC initiatives and training abroad, fostering networks and local partnerships; strengthening the environment that supports RBC and assisting project-affected stakeholders and Canadian companies with early detection and intervention, and dispute resolution.

In January 2018, the Government of Canada announced the creation of a Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise and a multi-stakeholder Advisory Body on RBC (MSAB). Ms. Sheri Meyerhoffer was appointed on April 8, 2019, following an open, transparent and merit based selection process. Ms. Meyerhoffer began working on May 1st, 2019.

The CORE is mandated to: 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 policies and practices with respect to RBC; review allegations of human rights abuses arising from the operations of a Canadian company 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. The CORE has the ability to receive complaints, undertake a review at her own initiative, conduct joint and independent fact-finding; make recommendations; follow-up on those recommendations; and, report publicly throughout the process.

Canada's National Contact Point (NCP), a tool within the CSR Strategy, is mandated to promote the OECD Guidelines and offers facilitated dialogue and mediation for all sectors and for a wide range of issues, including: disclosure; labour issues; human rights; environmental issues; and bribery. Established in 2000 as part of Canada's commitment to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the non-judicial, voluntary dispute resolution mechanism is 7-department committee and has three stakeholders from the private sector and labour communities, to advise on its procedures and promotion of the OECD Guidelines.

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