Thank you for reminding me.
If even the world's largest and most well-endowed companies are not implementing their own voluntary commitments, there's little likelihood that Canadian juniors or companies will do so.
In the case of countries experiencing armed conflict, like Colombia, or countries like Suriname with large governance gaps, relying on voluntary mechanisms to protect human rights and the environment is simply not sufficient. While Bill C-300 cannot purport to address these realities in their entirety, it does offer an important mechanism with which to strengthen the current Canadian CSR strategy. Notably, Bill C-300 provides recourse to an investigation for communities that may have been subject to human rights violations by a Canadian company, whether or not the company consents to the investigation. This is currently not possible for the CSR counsellor, who is not authorized to investigate cases and can review them only with the consent of the company in question.
It also offers the Canadian government the possibility of withdrawing government, political, and financial support should an investigation lead to the conclusion that human rights violations did occur. In other words, it provides a mechanism for government accountability to the Canadian public and a stronger incentive for companies to respect human rights and environmental protections, particularly if they have received government funding, in contrast to the purely voluntary regime recently announced by the Canadian government.
It also offers the Canadian public some assurance that taxpayers' money will not be used to support extractive activities violating human rights and environmental protections, at least over the long term. Where a company is found to have violated human rights or environmental protections, it is not deprived of the chance to correct this behaviour and reapply for government funding.
Ultimately, Bill C-300 embodies the spirit and intent of the recommendations in the consensus-based document produced by the multi-stakeholder advisory group established under the Canadian round table on CSR process. If passed, Bill C-300 would bring the current government strategy in line with the outcomes of this public and democratic process. In addition, it would put in place mechanisms that would hold our overseas companies to account, as recommended by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Finally, it would place Canada as a front-runner, rather than a laggard, in addressing issues of corporate and government accountability.
Thank you.