Canada shuts down corporate watchdog. Critics say its replacement lacks teeth
When the Canadian government earlier this year shut down its independent watchdog responsible for investigating alleged human rights abuses including environmental pollution by Canada-based companies operating overseas, it promised that a little-known office called the National Contact Point would take over that work. But critics say the National Contact Point, which has operated for more […]
Canada recently dismantled its independent watchdog, the Canadian Ombudsman for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), after more than a year without a leader. The decision was made by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who never appointed a new ombudsperson after the role became vacant in early 2021. The government claimed CORE was ineffective and replaced it with the National Contact Point (NCP), a position that has operated for a quarter of a century.
However, critics argue that the NCP lacks the necessary powers and independence to effectively investigate alleged human rights abuses by Canadian companies operating overseas.
Since its inception in 2000, the NCP has handled only three out of 33 cases, with one case being led by a NCP of another country. This raises concerns about the NCP's ability to fulfill the role left vacant by CORE. Global Affairs Canada, the foreign ministry overseeing the NCP, stated that the decision to streamline CORE's work was made to focus on other functions with stronger track records of effectiveness. However, those familiar with the NCP's history remain skeptical about its effectiveness in handling such matters.
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