Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise
 | |
| Abbreviation | CORE |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor |
| Formation | 2019 |
Key people | Sheri Meyerhoffer |
| Budget | $4.9 m CAD |
| Website | core-ombuds |
The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) is a Canadian ombudsman that investigates ethical violations.
Activities and history
CORE was established in April 2019, with the appointment of lawyer[1] Sheri Meyerhoffer to the office.[2] The office investigates suspected corporate ethics[3] and human rights violations.[4] CORE was the successor to Canada's corporate social responsibility counsellor.[5] It has an annual budget of $4.9 million.[6]
By May 2023, the ombudsman was criticised for having submitted zero reports to the International Trade Minister. At the time CORE was looking into fifteen matters, all of which were in the "initial assessment" phase of investigation.[6]
In July 2023, CORE launched its first investigation into Nike Canada and Dynasty Gold Corp., accusing both of exploiting Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang.[2] In August the same year, CORE started investigating Ralph Lauren for using a supply chain that included the use of Uyghur forced labour and stated that it was looking into accusations that mining company GobiMin did the same.[7]
References
- ^ Olijnyk, Zena (10 Aug 2021). "New ombudsperson hopes mediation will resolve complaints involving Canadian companies abroad". Canadian Lawyer. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ a b Tunny, Catherine (11 July 2023). "Watchdog probing claims that Nike Canada, gold company benefiting from forced Uyghur labour". CBC. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ Shakil, Ismail; Rajagopal, Divya; Rajagopal, Divya (2023-07-11). "Canada probes Nike, Dynasty Gold over alleged use of forced labor in China". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ "Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise". Global Affairs Canada. 2019-09-13. Archived from the original on 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ "Canada appoints Sheri Meyerhoffer as first corporate-ethics ombudsperson". The Globe and Mail. 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ a b Grant, Tavia (2023-05-09). "Ottawa's watchdog for corporate abuses abroad hasn't filed investigative reports to Global Affairs". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- ^ Vanaik, Granth (2023-08-15). "Canada's corporate watchdog probes Ralph Lauren on alleged use of forced labor in China". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-09-02.