The elimination of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) leaves workers all over the world vulnerable to abuses of fundamental human rights, according to the Canadian Labour Congress.
Siobhan Vipond, executive vice-president of the CLC, joined leaders of civil society groups and MPs on Thursday, June 18 to denounce the elimination of CORE.
“We urge the government to reconsider this decision and commit to protections for workers and communities affected by Canadian companies abroad,” Vipond said at a press conference on Thursday, “because workers and human rights do not stop at the border.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed on June 11 that the federal government had decided “a few months ago” to eliminate CORE. He said it was because the office has only completed one investigation during its existence.
“Part of government is to look at things and see whether or not they’re effective and try to improve it,” Carney told reporters.
CORE would conduct independent investigations in human rights abuses, like using forced labour, by enterprises.
READ MORE: Carney gaslights us as he eliminates the Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE)
CORE has faced criticism for its lack of effectiveness. Now, its inability to deliver accountability is what Carney said is behind its elimination. However, unions have said this is the exact opposite direction the government should have moved in. The United Steelworkers (USW) released a statement Friday that said CORE was never given the independence and powers it needed to fulfill its duties.
The union recalled their own dealings with the office, dealings which did not result in the accountability they desired. In 2022, USW and CLC filed a joint complaint with CORE alleging that Mark’s and its parent company, Canadian Tire Corporation, failed to ensure workers in its supplier factories were paid living wages.
CORE eventually closed the complaint without investigating the issues raised and without recommending any follow-up actions to be taken by Mark’s. USW said this decision undermined the office’s mandate but also noted that—had CORE pursued the investigation—next steps would have been unclear because CORE could not compel documents and testimony from witnesses.
The solution proposed by USW after this disappointment was not to eliminate the office as Carney has done. It was instead to give CORE genuine independence and the legal powers needed to fulfill its mission.
“Workers and communities facing human rights and labour rights abuses linked to Canadian companies deserve a process that is independent, effective and backed by real powers,” said Marty Warren, USW National Director for Canada. “Abolishing the CORE is an abdication of one of the few imperfect tools that we had for greater corporate accountability. Instead of fixing a flawed office, this government has chosen to walk away from its responsibility.”
Vipond said this decision has flown in the face of what Canadians have come to value. She highlighted that Canada makes speeches internationally about workers’ rights and human rights but their actions do not follow suit.
“We need to hold the government accountable,” she said. “What they say internationally is what they need to show at home, because that flag is going to be tarnished if we keep allowing these actions to be made.”
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