Key Takeaways
- The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) was created in 2019 to investigate human‑rights abuses linked to Canadian businesses abroad.
- Since 2024 the office has operated without a permanent leader, despite ongoing complaints and investigations.
- CORE has reviewed 17 complaints, including a 2022 case alleging that Vancouver‑based Dynasty Gold benefited from Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang, China.
- The ombudsperson’s 2024 final report recommended remedial actions for Dynasty Gold and urged the government to withhold trade advocacy and financial support until compliance.
- Recent statements by Ministers Anita Anand and François‑Philippe Champagne emphasize commitment to ending forced labour but have not clarified a timeline for appointing a new ombudsperson.
- The UN Human Rights Committee has urged Canada to appoint a new ombudsperson, safeguard the office’s independence, and strengthen its investigative powers.
- Advocates argue that filling and empowering CORE is essential for Canada to be seen as a credible leader on responsible business and forced‑labour issues.
Background on the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE)
Established in 2019, the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) was heralded as a “first of its kind in the world” and positioned as a showcase of Canadian leadership in responsible business conduct. Its mandate is to receive and investigate complaints alleging human‑rights abuses connected to Canadian corporate activity overseas. When an investigation substantiates wrongdoing, the ombudsperson can issue public findings and recommendations that may affect a company’s reputation and its eligibility for future government support. The office therefore holds considerable potential to ensure that Canadian firms do not profit from forced labour or other abuses in their global operations.
Leadership Vacuum Since 2024
Despite its promising start, CORE has been without a permanent leader since 2024. The absence of an appointed ombudsperson has left the office effectively stalled, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to the mechanism it once championed. While officials repeatedly assert that the office “remains important,” they have not provided a concrete appointment date or named a successor. This leadership gap undermines CORE’s ability to act on incoming complaints and to fulfill its role as an independent watchdog.
Current Complaint Load and Notable Cases
Tracking shows that CORE has accepted 17 complaints for review since its inception. One of the most prominent cases was filed in 2022 by a coalition of 28 civil‑society organizations, including Canadian Uyghur groups, alleging that Vancouver‑based Dynasty Gold’s operations in Xinjiang, China, benefited from Uyghur forced labour. The complaint highlighted that the company failed to take adequate steps to identify or mitigate the risk of forced labour in its supply chain.
Findings of the Dynasty Gold Investigation
In its 2024 final report, the ombudsperson concluded that Dynasty Gold had not taken sufficient measures to detect or address forced‑labour risks, effectively contributing to the abuse through inaction. The report recommended that the company implement remedial steps to address the identified shortcomings and that the Canadian government withhold future trade advocacy and financial support until Dynasty Gold complies with these recommendations. The findings underscored how CORE’s investigations can translate into concrete consequences for corporations.
Stalled Progress After 2024
Since the Dynasty Gold report, no new investigations have been announced or concluded. The office’s inactivity has prompted external scrutiny, including a recent report from the UN Human Rights Committee that called on Canada to urgently appoint a new ombudsperson, guarantee the office’s independence from government influence, and bolster its investigatory capacities. The UN’s recommendations echo long‑standing concerns from domestic advocacy groups that have pressed for a stronger, more autonomous accountability mechanism.
Government Statements and Ambiguity
In March, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand told a reporter that the office “remains important” and said the government is “working with alacrity to fill numerous positions across the government,” including the ombudsperson role. A few days later, Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne declared that Canada “condemns forced labour in all its forms everywhere in the world” and emphasized the need for resilient, clean supply chains. However, neither minister explicitly confirmed a forthcoming appointment or provided a clear timeline, leaving stakeholders uncertain about when leadership will be restored.
Advocacy Calls for Action
Civil‑society organizations and academic experts argue that filling the CORE vacancy is more than a bureaucratic formality; it is a litmus test of Canada’s credibility on forced‑labour issues. Advocates insist that the government must move beyond vague statements and actually staff and empower the ombudsperson with the independence and resources needed to conduct thorough investigations. They contend that doing so would demonstrate integrity and reinforce Canada’s reputation as a reliable actor in global responsible‑business initiatives.
Path Forward: Staffing and Empowering CORE
To align its actions with its rhetoric, the Canadian government should prioritize the appointment of a qualified, independent ombudsperson without further delay. Simultaneously, it ought to strengthen CORE’s statutory framework—ensuring clear investigative powers, protection from political interference, and adequate funding for staff and expertise. By taking these steps, Canada can transform CORE from a dormant office into an effective tool for holding corporations accountable, thereby reinforcing its commitment to eradicating forced labour from global supply chains.
Conclusion
The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise represents a potentially powerful mechanism for addressing corporate‑linked human‑rights abuses, yet its current leaderless state undermines its utility. Recent complaints, particularly the Dynasty Gold case, illustrate both the need for and the impact of robust oversight. While government officials have voiced opposition to forced labour, concrete action—namely, the prompt appointment and empowerment of a new ombudsperson—remains essential. Fulfilling this obligation would not only rectify an institutional gap but also affirm Canada’s integrity and leadership on the global stage.