Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Legislation in Canada
Canadian companies and global supply chains are implicated in human rights abuses and environmental damage around the globe. However, Canada has failed to establish rules that require Canadian companies to respect human rights and the environment overseas. Instead, Canada relies on a suite of voluntary measures to curb corporate abuse. Experience shows that voluntary measures don’t work.
To end corporate impunity, several countries have enacted, or are in the process of developing, laws that require companies to review all their business activities, identify actual and potential risks to people and the planet, take steps to mitigate and address these risks, and ensure remedy for those harmed. This is called human rights and environmental due diligence.
Building on this global momentum, and on Canadian civil society consensus starting points, our draft model legislation provides lawmakers with a blueprint for writing into Canadian law the corporate duty to respect human rights and the environment.
In March 2022, a private Members’ bill based on the CNCA’s model due diligence legislation was introduced in Parliament: Bill C-262, “Corporate Responsibility to Protect Human Rights Act.”
Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Legislation in Canada
*On Monday, May 31st, the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA) released draft model legislation to provide lawmakers with a blueprint for a new international corporate accountability law in Canada.
Canadian companies and global supply chains are implicated in human rights abuses and environmental damage around the globe. However, Canada has failed to establish rules that require Canadian companies to respect human rights and the environment overseas. Instead, Canada relies on a suite of voluntary measures to curb corporate abuse. Experience shows that voluntary measures don’t work.
To end corporate impunity, several countries have enacted, or are in the process of developing, laws that require companies to review all their business activities, identify actual and potential risks to people and the planet, take steps to mitigate and address these risks, and ensure remedy for those harmed. This is called human rights and environmental due diligence.
Building on this global momentum, and on Canadian civil society consensus starting points, our newly released draft model legislation provides lawmakers with a blueprint for writing into Canadian law the corporate duty to respect human rights and the environment.
The draft model law, if adopted, would require Canadian companies to prevent human rights and environmental harm throughout their global operations and supply chains. If a company causes harm or fails to do its due diligence, it could be subject to legal action in Canada.
Over 150 organizations and unions that work with people impacted by the activities of Canadian companies in 32 countries around the world have endorsed the CNCA’s proposed law.
If adopted the CNCA’s model Corporate Respect for Human Rights and the Environment Abroad Act would:
- Establish a corporate duty on companies linked to Canada to prevent human rights abuse and environmental harms.
- Require companies to conduct due diligence and publicly report on the steps taken to prevent human rights and environmental harms.
- Include significant consequences for companies that cause harm and/or fail to conduct due diligence.
Read and share these individual graphics or this full infographic on the proposed Corporate Respect for Human Rights and the Environment Abroad Act.
Our model legislation would help prevent human rights abuse and environmental damage in the global operations and supply chains of companies linked to Canada, hold these companies accountable for their actions, and provide access to remedy for impacted communities.
Latest on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Legislation
MPs accept 43,000 signature petition for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation in Canada
Photo: Representatives of CNCA member-organizations presented over 43,000 signatures for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation to MPs at the Canadian Parliament, on 25 April 2023 Update, May 12, 2023: The petition now has over 50,000 signatures.Over 43,000 [...]
Rana Plaza Rally in Montreal calls for mandatory due diligence law
On Monday, 24 April 2023, a rally in downtown Montreal commemorated the victims of the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh, which killed more than 1,130 textile workers and injured more than 2,500 others, the majority of whom were women. [...]
Press Release – Rally today: Ten years after the Rana Plaza factory building collapse, Canada and Canadian companies are still failing to protect human rights in the textile and fast fashion industry
MONTREAL – Ten years after the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory building, which killed more than 1,130 textile workers and injured more than 2,500 others, the majority of whom were women, Canada and Canadian companies are not doing their [...]
Canada should immediately empower the CORE, recent media reports show
Updated on 10 May 2023. Initially published on 11 April 2023. Recent media reports exposing the ineffectiveness of Canada’s Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) show it should immediately be given the powers to require the production of documents and compel [...]
National Rally: Rana Plaza 10 years later
On Monday, April 24, at 12 noon, at Phillips Square in Montreal, a national rally will be held to: Demonstrate the solidarity of Canadians and Quebeckers with workers in the fast fashion industry in Bangladesh and elsewhere Denounce the inaction [...]
Budget 2023 renews the government’s commitments on forced labour in supply chains, but will that legislation be strong enough?
Budget 2023 committed to introducing legislation by 2024 to eradicate forced labour from Canadian supply chains and strengthen the import ban on goods produced using forced labour. Specifically, the Budget says that “Canada is gravely concerned by the ongoing human [...]