Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  They referred to a number of observations I made, out of 36, or 30-plus, regarding what I saw in the country. They also referred to two or three paragraphs at the end of the report. I felt that in writing this report I had to speak to Canadian actors principally, and that if I wa

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Well, I haven't seriously turned my attention to specific recommendations. However, in my third year, which has started, one of the aims or objectives and key elements of our work plan is to begin to lay out some of the lessons learned, some of the gaps and omissions that the gov

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  It's more complicated than that. I do believe that given the scope and scale of Canadian activity, and the constraints and limitations of the mechanisms that we have in place, we have to operate on the presumption that companies are working in good faith. And we have to rely ofte

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thus far, we do not, although I should say that when I worked for industry, for Rio Tinto, I was part of a team that authored a guidance manual called Why gender matters. Our interest was in ensuring that operations, people at sites, had the tools and the understanding available

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  There are a couple of types of interactions. Sometimes companies call and say, “Jeffrey, we want to give you a heads-up. We know that we have some difficulties approaching. This is what's coming down the pipeline, and you should be aware.” Or they call and say, “This is what has

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  If I can just move to the side here, there are the ambassadors themselves, too. We've had calls from ambassadors in the field, again asking for advice on particular situations they're faced with and how they might approach dealing with companies or dealing with government on thes

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  From what I can tell, there were no interactions with companies or situations in Guatemala involving the previous counsellor.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  There were six cases, which were reviewed by the previous counsellor and closed prior to her departure from the seat. We have not received any formal requests for review.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  None to date.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Probably yes. It would mean more dedicated resources, a better implementing architecture for carrying out the mandate that currently exists, and a stronger architecture that provides the ombudsperson or the counsellor with more resources to work with.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I am not a lawyer, and I am not suggesting that.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Speaking my own mind and my own opinion, I believe a hybrid approach is required that allows for preventative authority, as well as regulatory authority and judicial authority. The court system has now been open to listen to cases. We've been experimenting with how we can improv

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  That would be an extension of the mandate, which could bear some positive fruits, if companies were willing to share more. In fact, we've argued and suggested that there be more social and environmental disclosure up front, whether through the agency of the Toronto Stock Exchange

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you, honourable chairperson and members of the subcommittee, for inviting me here today to share my thoughts and experience. I have been Canada's extractive sector corporate social responsibility counsellor since May 2015. A counsellor is a Governor in Council appointee, ha