By: Tianqi Liu
On Monday, May 31st, 2021, the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA) released the draft model legislation to provide lawmakers with a blueprint for a new Canadian corporate accountability law (Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Legislation, or mHREDD). The law has received broad support across 150 organizations and 32 unions working in communities affected by the actions of Canadian corporations abroad
This legislation will address and correct the adverse impact on human rights caused by Canadian business activities overseas. If the draft model legislation is passed, it will require Canadian companies to prevent human rights and environmental damage in their global operations and supply chains and to implement human rights due to diligence procedures.
This law will establish corporate responsibilities in order to prevent adverse human rights impacts and environmental damage outside of Canada. All foreign victims should have the right to sue Canadian companies, the law will also help affected foreign workers and local communities obtain effective remedies in Canadian courts. The law will establish commissioners with the authority to execute due diligence reports. If a company, its subsidiaries, subcontractors, or suppliers cause adverse human rights impacts, the company may be sued in Canadian courts.
As one of the CNCA’s 39 members, BTS will be supporting this ongoing campaign for Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Legislation. This campaign builds on the CORE (Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise) campaign. Our new summer cooperants Tianqi and Ecem attended the CNCA’s activist training for the mHREDD legislation where they learned about the purpose of the legislation and the campaign. Please keep following our social media and newsletter for future training opportunities and campaign updates!
Resources:
CNCA: Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Legislation in Canada
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