Empower Canadian Responsible Enterprise Ombudsperson

AI summary

Petitioners ask Canada to immediately appoint a Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise with independence and the authority to compel testimony and documents to investigate human‑rights abuses by Canadian companies abroad. The government responds it has closed the Office and offered to transfer active cases to the National Contact Point.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada Canadian companies are contributing to serious human and labour rights abuses and environmental damage around the world; People who protest these harms and defend their rights are often harassed, attacked, or killed. Indigenous Peoples, women, and marginalized groups are especially under threat; The position of Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise has been vacant since May 2025, leaving the office unable to process complaints of human rights abuse and leaving existing and potential complainants in the dark; and The role of Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise has significant potential but is not independent and lacks the power to compel testimony or the production of documents. The Ombudsperson therefore cannot effectively investigate allegations of human rights abuse linked to Canadian companies’ global operations and supply chains. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Immediately appoint a new Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise; and 2. Give the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise both independence and the power to compel testimony and the production of documents, as required to effectively investigate allegations of human rights abuse.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Parliamentary Secretary Rob Oliphant The Government of Canada is firmly committed to enhancing responsible business conduct by Canadian companies in their operations abroad. Strong responsible business conduct practices not only contribute to a company’s own success and Canada’s competitive advantage, but to building a better world for all. Canadian companies operating abroad are expected to abide by all relevant laws, to respect human rights in their operations, and to adopt best practices and internationally respected guidelines on responsible business conduct. Canada’s approach to responsible business conduct includes preventive measures, targeted legislation in select areas, and access to non-judicial dispute resolution mechanism. These measures apply to all Canadian companies active internationally, regardless of size, sector, or scope, and are designed to promote responsible practices across global operations and supply chains. As announced by the Prime Minister on June 11, 2026, the Government has decided to discontinue the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. This decision followed a review of the Office’s operations and effectiveness, which considered how best to support Canada’s broader approach to responsible business conduct. The review found that the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise’s role duplicated functions already carried out by Canada’s long-standing National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct. In this context, Canada’s National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct, the country’s long-standing non-judicial dispute resolution mechanism, remains fully operational, and will play an enhanced role in Canada’s responsible business conduct framework. The National Contact Point provides a dedicated forum for dialogue and mediation on a broad range of issues covered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, including human rights, employment and industrial relations, environmental concerns, bribery and corruption, disclosure, consumer interests, and competition. The National Contact Point is equipped to address any concerns that the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise was previously responsible for, and all active complaints and cases previously with the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise have been offered the opportunity to transfer their cases. The government will share more in due course on the steps it is taking to enhance the National Contact Point. In parallel, the Government is taking steps to further strengthen Canada’s framework to prevent and address labour exploitation in global supply chains and to ensure a level playing field for Canadian businesses and workers. Canada has already implemented a prohibition on the importation of goods produced wholly or in part by forced labour, as well as the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act. Building on these measures, on June 12, 2026, the Government introduced Bill C-35 to enhance the effectiveness of Canada’s forced labour import prohibition and to strengthen supply chain integrity. These efforts reflect Canada’s ongoing commitment to upholding human rights and promoting responsible business conduct globally.