Updated March 4, 2026
The Canadian government has continued to evade questions from civil society and directly-impacted rightsholders on the status of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), a position it has left vacant since May 2025 and rendered toothless despite promises to the contrary.
The government’s plans to table supply chain due diligence legislation – announced in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, and building on previous commitments in the 2023 and 2024 budgets – have not materialized.
As Canada restructures its global trading relationships, these measures are essential to ensure Canada’s path forward respects the human rights of workers and communities impacted by Canadian companies and their supply chains.
In June 2025, Member of Parliament Heather McPherson submitted an order paper question for the government’s official response on both matters.
On the future of the CORE, the government’s response indicated that a “new Ombudsperson will be appointed in due course should the government’s review warrant such an appointment.”
On the status of supply chain due diligence legislation, the government said it “remains committed to helping end the practice of forced labour” and that “the new government is assessing its options on how to best address this important issue.” As of March 2026, the government has provided no updates despite ongoing requests for information.
The question in full, and the government’s response, can be viewed here.
