Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Mr. MacDonald, my first question is for you.
You must know about the report by Mr. Ruggie, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises. Are you familiar with his report?
In his report, he makes a number of findings regarding social corporate responsibility. One of his main conclusions is about the role of the state, which is required to protect us when third parties, including corporations, violate human rights within and outside of Canada.
A business that is registered in Canada is to be considered as a Canadian entity and falls under Canadian law. The state has the obligation to adopt legislation requiring that businesses respect human rights.
In his conclusions, Mr. Ruggie stated in particular that there are jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional mechanisms in place for investigations to be conducted when human rights have been violated.
Could you comment on Mr. Ruggie's conclusions regarding corporate social responsibility?