In recent weeks, the Canadian government has scrambled to reaffirm its commitment to combatting forced labour. This follows criticism over Canada’s deepening trade ties to countries implicated in labour abuse, a Liberal MP’s apparent questioning of reports of forced labour in China.
[Opinion piece by Karen Hamilton, Director of Above Ground; and Aidan Gilchrist-Blackwood, Network Coordinator of the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability (CNCA).]
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The federal government has repeatedly evoked the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) as evidence that Canada remains committed to the issue. Yet, the truth is that the government has left the office to languish.
Established in 2019, … the government trumpeted the CORE as a “first of its kind in the world” and a demonstration of Canadian leadership in responsible business conduct.
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So why, then, has the government left the CORE without a permanent leader since 2024?
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Our tracking shows that the CORE has deemed admissible 17 complaints submitted to the office. One such complaint was filed in 2022 by a coalition of 28 civil society organizations, including Canadian Uyghur groups, alleging that the operations of Vancouver‑based Dynasty Gold in Xinjiang, China, benefited from Uyghur forced labour.
The CORE’s investigation found that the company failed to take steps to identify or mitigate the abuse, concluding that it contributed to forced labour through inaction. In the 2024 final report, the Ombudsperson recommended that Dynasty Gold take remedial measures and that Canada withhold future trade advocacy and financial support until the company complies with the CORE’s recommendations.
No new investigations have been announced or concluded since 2024.
Last month, a report from the UN Human Rights Committee called on Canada to urgently appoint a new Ombudsperson, ensure the office’s independence from government and strengthen the office with investigatory powers.
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If the Canadian government wants to promote Canada as a leader in responsible business and a reliable actor on forced labour, it must move beyond vague statements. Its next step could be properly staffing and empowering the CORE. As the finance minister said, that’s a matter of integrity.
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In a related report, Canada’s industry minister Melanie Joly dodges questions on forced labour and Chinese EVs (YT video, 13 min)
Is Canada knowingly importing cars made with forced labor? Watch as the Industry Minister repeatedly refuses to give a straight answer to a simple “Yes or No” question regarding human rights in Chinese EV production. We break down the heated exchange that has everyone talking. (Alternative Invidious link.)
Edit: Added ‘Opinion’ to the title.
CBC Watcher - (5 min video)