Canada Scraps Rights Watchdog Amid US Forced Labor Pressure
Five official reports and a folded dark denim garment on a neutral surface.
Key Highlights
Canada dissolves its human rights watchdog, CORE, citing ineffectiveness, as US pressure mounts over forced labor concerns. New legislation targets goods made with slave labor.
Canada Axes Human Rights Watchdog Amid US Pressure
Canada is abolishing the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), a body established in 2019 to investigate human rights abuses by Canadian companies operating internationally.
The decision coincides with criticism from the Trump administration regarding Canada’s perceived inadequate efforts to combat forced labor, which recently led to tariffs on Canadian goods.
CORE’s Limited Impact
- CORE existed for six years, initiating only five investigations during its tenure.
- These probes primarily focused on allegations of forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region.
- Companies under investigation included Ralph Lauren, Nike, Levi Strauss, GobiMin, and Dynasty Gold Corp.
- The watchdog issued formal recommendations against just two companies.
Justification and Criticism
Mark Carney justified CORE’s elimination, stating the office had not been effective since its establishment. He indicated the move is part of broader austerity measures aimed at streamlining inefficient government functions.
While some federal ministers previously highlighted CORE’s importance, Green party leader Elizabeth May argued the office required enhanced resources and independence, not outright elimination.
New Legislation to Combat Forced Labor
In response, the Liberal government announced upcoming legislation to address forced labor concerns. This new approach aims to tackle issues raised by the Trump administration.
The legislation will establish a public list of products associated with forced labor in specific regions. It will also mandate importers to verify that goods from these areas are not produced through slavery.