Madam Speaker, I would have gladly cancelled this adjournment debate had I seen some action or sign that we were heading in the right direction between the time I asked the question and today. Nothing has happened.
I will provide some background information for those interested in the appointment of an ombudsman to monitor the activities of our mining companies operating abroad and to conduct investigations as needed.
I became aware of this issue in 2009, when the Conservative government introduced its first strategy for promoting corporate social responsibility, a Conservative-style initiative, one that was voluntary, non-binding, and had no teeth, and that seemed to be more a symbolic gesture than a real measure.
At the time, the NDP and the Liberals both expressed serious reservations, which we reiterated in 2014, when this same strategy was revised.
In the 41st Parliament, the previous Parliament, the NDP introduced a solid bill sponsored by my former colleague, Ève Péclet, who I now have the pleasure of naming, to establish a real ombudsman that would have real investigative powers.
I would like to remind members that, at that time, the member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, who is still a member of the House, said:
With regard to the bill itself, let me reiterate again that it is a very well-intended piece of legislation.
After the Liberals were elected in 2015, there was an evening of lobbying with our main international development partners. Once again, the Liberals hinted that the creation of the position of corporate social responsibility ombudsman for extractive companies was imminent. However, today, it is clear that no such bill is in the works.
In a meeting of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, I had the pleasure of discussing this matter with the Minister of International Development, who answered one of my questions by saying, “We aren't there yet, but I wouldn't want us to go backwards.” Since then, it has been radio silence.
My question is simple: what is going on with the appointment of a corporate social responsibility ombudsman?