Canada Abolishes CORE: What the End of the Ombudsperson for Corporate Abuses Means for Human Rights

Ottawa scrapped the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) on June 11, 2024, eliminating the only federal mechanism investigating human rights abuses by Canadian companies abroad. The move leaves at least 36 unresolved complaints—including allegations of Uyghur forced labor and oil sector abuses in Namibia—without recourse, while critics warn it signals a retreat from global corporate accountability.

Key Takeaways:

• The CORE was Canada’s sole independent body investigating corporate abuses in mining, oil, and garment sectors since 2019.
• Its abolition follows years of underfunding and a vacant ombudsperson role since 2023, rendering it ineffective.
• Canada now lacks a dedicated mechanism to address abuses tied to its $1.2 trillion extractive industry, despite global pressure.
• Labor unions and NGOs call the decision a “step backward” in aligning with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

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### Why Did Canada Eliminate the CORE?
Canada’s government justified the CORE’s abolition by citing its “limited impact,” according to a June 11 statement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office. However, critics argue the real issue was systemic: the CORE was denied critical investigative powers, including the ability to compel testimony or documents from companies—a limitation that rendered it toothless from the start.

“The CORE was never given the tools to do its job,” said Scott Neigh, a law professor at the University of Ottawa. “Now, victims of corporate abuses—whether in China’s Uyghur region or Namibia’s oil fields—have no federal recourse at all.”

Since its creation in 2019 under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the CORE had investigated 42 complaints, including:

• Allegations that Canadian mining firms sourced materials from Xinjiang’s Uyghur forced labor camps (Globe and Mail).
• Human rights violations linked to oil and gas exploration in Namibia (CBC).
• Labor abuses in garment factories supplying Canadian retailers (The Guardian).

Yet the office was vacant for over a year, with no ombudsperson appointed since December 2023, leaving 36 pending cases unresolved. The government’s decision to abolish it entirely—rather than reform it—has drawn sharp criticism.

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### What Replaced the CORE? Canada’s Weak Response to Corporate Abuses
While the CORE is gone, Canada has introduced limited alternatives, none of which fill the accountability gap:

1. Forced Labor Prohibition Legislation (June 2024)
The government announced new rules on June 12 to ban imports linked to forced labor, but experts warn the measure is voluntary and lacks enforcement teeth. Unlike the CORE, it does not require companies to investigate their supply chains or face penalties for non-compliance.

2. Corporate Due Diligence Consultations (Ongoing)
Canada has consulted on mandatory due diligence laws since 2023, but no legislation has been introduced. The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which requires companies to prevent human rights abuses or face fines, is far stricter.

“Canada’s approach is a patchwork at best,” said Megan Witzke of Human Rights Watch. “Other G7 nations are moving forward with binding laws. Canada is moving backward.”

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### How Does This Compare to Other Countries?
Canada’s decision contrasts sharply with global trends:

| Country | Mechanism | Enforcement Powers | Status |
Canada | CORE (abolished) | None (voluntary compliance) | Defunct |
| European Union| CSDDD (2024) | Fines, supply chain audits | Enacted |
| UK | Modern Slavery Act (2015) | Transparency reports | Weak enforcement |
| Australia | Modern Slavery Act (2018) | Mandatory reporting | Strengthened in 2023 |
| France | Duty of Vigilance Law (2017) | Civil liability for abuses | Enforced |

Why it matters: Canada’s extractive sector—worth $1.2 trillion annually—operates in high-risk regions where abuses are rampant. Without the CORE, there’s no federal body to investigate or hold companies accountable.

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### What Happens Next? The Fight for Accountability Continues
Civil society groups are already pushing back:

– Labor Unions (e.g., UNIFOR) demand the government revive the CORE with compulsory powers and appoint an ombudsperson immediately.
– NGOs like MiningWatch Canada are calling for a parliamentary inquiry into corporate abuses.
– Investors are growing wary: A 2024 report by CDP found that 68% of Canadian pension funds now screen for human rights risks—but without government oversight, enforcement remains inconsistent.

“This isn’t just about one office,” said Naomi Klein, author and activist. “It’s about whether Canada will be a leader in holding corporations to account—or just another country where profits come before people.”

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### FAQ: What You Need to Know About the CORE’s Abolition

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