Canada Scraps 2019 Human Rights Watchdog as Carney Pushes Forced-Labor Enforcement Overhaul
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 15
Canada Scraps 2019 Human Rights Watchdog as Carney Pushes Forced-Labor Enforcement Overhaul
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 15
Summary
Mark Carney's government is eliminating the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, saying the 2019 watchdog was ineffective and targeted for cuts under a broader austerity review.
Five investigations in six years helped drive that judgment: the office probed Ralph Lauren, Nike, Levi Strauss, GobiMin and Dynasty Gold over alleged Uyghur forced labor in Xinjiang, and issued formal recommendations against only two companies.
Ottawa is replacing the approach with new legislation that would create a public list of products tied to forced labor in specific regions and force importers to prove listed goods were not made with slavery.
The shift comes as the Trump administration has criticized Canada and about 80 other countries over weak supply-chain enforcement, and recently announced tariffs on Canada tied to forced-labor concerns.
Critics including Green leader Elizabeth May say the office failed because it lacked independence and powers, arguing it should have been strengthened rather than abolished.