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Petition to the House of Commons of Canada: Adopt human rights and environmental due diligence legislation
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to adopt human rights and environmental due diligence legislation that would:
• require companies to prevent adverse human rights impacts and
environmental damage throughout their global operations and
supply chains;
• require companies do their due diligence, including by carefully
assessing how they may be contributing to human rights abuse
or environmental damage abroad and by providing access to
remedy when harms occur;
• result in meaningful consequences for companies that fail to
carry out and report on adequate due diligence; and
• establish a legal right for people who have been harmed to seek
justice in Canadian courts.
Whereas,
• companies based in Canada are contributing to human rights
abuse and environmental damage around the world;
• people who protest these abuses and defend their rights are
often harassed, attacked, or killed. Indigenous Peoples, women,
and marginalized groups are especially under threat; and
• Canada encourages but does not require companies to prevent
such harms in their global operations and supply chains.
Sign the petition.
Over 50,000 people have signed so far!
Contact your MP to support Bill C-262!
A game-changing law has been tabled in Canada’s Parliament that would require Canadian companies to respect human rights and the environment in all their business activities and relationships overseas. Let’s counter the corporate lobby, and show our government that a critical mass of Canadians demands serious action to put people and the planet first.
Canadian companies often profit from overseas operations that harm both people and the planet. Allegations of serious human rights and environmental abuse abound, ranging from forced labour – tantamount to modern slavery – to permanent land and water contamination, to tactics such as house-demolition and sexual violence used to forcibly relocate and subdue people to make room for Canadian mining operations.
So far, voluntary measures have proven to be entirely ineffective in preventing human rights abuses and environmental destruction linked to Canadian mining, energy, and garment projects overseas. But there is a way forward. A private member’s bill tabled in March 2022 would help address serious gaps in corporate accountability in Canada and warrants all-party support.
Bill C-262, “An Act respecting the corporate responsibility to prevent, address and remedy adverse impacts on human rights occurring in relation to business activities conducted abroad,” requires Canadian corporations to carry out due diligence and prevent human rights abuses throughout their operations and supply chains. It would also grant long overdue access to Canadian courts for victims of abuse to seek justice and remedy.
The individuals and communities in every corner of the world who continue to be harmed by powerful Canadian companies can wait no longer for Canada to take action to address corporate abuse. We need legislation in Canada that requires companies to change their behaviour or face significant consequences.
Will you join me in ensuring that Canadian companies respect human rights and the environment? Please support Bill C-262.
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Campaigns
Pass a Due Diligence Law
A mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence law will hold Canadian companies accountable for their actions around the world.
Empower the C.O.R.E.
Canada’s Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise should have the power to compel witnesses and documents.
Make Canada Accountable
Canada’s financial, political and diplomatic support should not to corporations involved with human rights and environmental abuse.
