Action still needed: Tell the federal government to keep its promise on corporate accountability
The Ombudsperson still needs powers to hold companies accountable
A huge thank you for all you have done to keep the pressure up for an independent Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Business Enterprise (CORE) with powers to investigate.
On Monday, April 8, the federal government appointed the CORE but failed to create an independent office with real powers to investigate abuses and redress harms caused by Canadian companies operating abroad, essentially breaking a promise made 15 months ago.
The incredible work you are doing contacting your MP and posting on social media is what is keeping this issue alive. And we need you to keep up the pressure.
It’s clearer now, more than ever, that the appointment announced on April 8 is entirely unrecognizable from the government’s commitment made on January 17, 2018. Since the announcement, the government’s Frequently Asked Questions on the CORE has changed extensively: the word “investigate” has been entirely stripped from the ombudsperson’s mandate. All meaningful reference to the office’s independence has been erased. All mention of the ombudsperson having the power to compel witnesses and documents is gone.
Minister Carr announced that he is seeking external legal advice on the possibility of granting the power to compel and gave early June as a time frame for reviewing those conclusions. That gives us five weeks to ensure the Office of the CORE has complete autonomy and investigative powers to compel documents and testimony.
The time to act is now!
- It’s time to call your MP! Keep the #Open4Justice campaign alive by contacting your Member of Parliament and posting on social media with the #power2investigate. Continue to contact your MPs and urge them to contact the PMO, re-iterate the absolute necessity that the ombudsperson be granted the powers to compel documents and testimony.
- It’s time to sign! Sign the e-petition Canada’s Corporate Watchdog has no teeth, hosted by Amnesty International Canada, denouncing the government backtrack and calling on Minister Carr to give the ombudsperson real powers to investigate. Canada needs a corporate watchdog with teeth!
The Canadian Network of Corporate Accountability (CNCA), of which KAIROS is a member, is hoping to get thousands of signatories to this petition to represent the massive support for this campaign. Please sign and circulate to your networks and friends.The e-petition will be delivered to the government on May 27.
Again, thank you for all the incredible work you are doing! Your sustained efforts make all the difference.
