Artisanal mine workers in Katanga, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, clean cobalt and other minerals used in the transition to green energy. Children often work alongside their families and, like them, are exposed to toxic waste and other hazardous conditions. Photo: Fr. Jacques Nzumbu, SJ
Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) joins the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA) in expressing deep concern over the Government of Canada’s decision to eliminate the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE).
As a member of the CNCA, CJI has long advocated for stronger measures to ensure that Canadian companies respect human rights and the environment wherever they operate. This commitment is rooted in the experiences of our Jesuit partners and the communities they serve in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Some of them have witnessed the devastating impacts of irresponsible extractive projects first-hand, while others have suffered as a result of them, experiencing displacement, environmental degradation, the loss of livelihoods, and violence.
Although CJI and other civil society organizations have long criticized the CORE’s lack of independence and investigatory powers, eliminating the office is not the answer. Instead, its mandate should be strengthened, and it should be provided with the necessary tools to investigate allegations of abuse and hold Canadian corporations accountable for their actions.
Together with our partners and fellow members of the CNCA, we call on the Government of Canada to reinstate the CORE and equip the office with the tools and independence it needs to effectively serve people whose human and environmental rights have been violated due to unjust and irresponsible practices by Canadian companies.
We invite our supporters to join us in urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to reinstate the CORE, this time with the powers and independence it has always needed. Take action here.
You may read the full CNCA statement here.
