Carney says feds are eliminating watchdog that oversees companies operating abroad

Carney says feds are eliminating watchdog that oversees companies operating abroad

Critics said the office created under Trudeau lacked teeth

Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government is eliminating a watchdog position responsible for investigating allegations of human rights violations committed by Canadian companies operating abroad.

The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) was introduced under former prime minister Justin Trudeau in 2019 to investigate potential abuses, including the use of forced labour.

But Carney said on Thursday that the role would be "eliminated," suggesting that the office hadn't been effective.

"Part of government is to look at things and see whether or not they're effective and try to improve it," the prime minister said at an unrelated news conference.

Carney says government has 'eliminated' watchdog for companies operating abroad

Carney said the decision to cut the role was taken "a few months ago" but it doesn't appear that a government official had yet announced it.

Although the ombud role has been vacant for more than a year, its website is still online.

Minister said decision coming 'in due course'

When asked earlier Thursday during question period about the vacant position, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said "we'll make a decision in due course," echoing language in documents tabled in the House of Commons a day earlier.

The CORE vacancy came up in recent months as Canada lifted some restrictions on the importation of Chinese-made electric vehicles.

Ahead of a trip to China in March, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne was asked about potential concerns that Chinese EVs could be made using forced labour. Champagne pointed to the CORE as an example of Canada taking the issue of forced labour seriously.

What to know about proposed U.S. tariffs over forced labour

The CORE had been criticized for lacking the powers to fulfil its mandate. Advocates have said the office needed the ability to compel documents and testimony from companies, for example.

On Thursday, Carney defended eliminating the office by pointing out that only one of the watchdog's investigations had led to recommendations being made to a company.

The documents tabled in the House of Commons on Wednesday say that, overall, the CORE had only launched five investigations.

Calls to boost powers of watchdog for companies operating abroad

The U.S. launched its own investigation into Canada's enforcement mechanisms when it comes to forced labour in March. The Trump administration just announced last week it would be slapping tariffs on Canada (and other countries) for allegedly lacking effective enforcement rules around goods made with forced labour.

The government is expected to table legislation on Friday that Carney said would enhance its enforcement to keep goods made with forced labour out of the Canadian supply chain.

Darren Major is a senior writer for CBC's parliamentary bureau in Ottawa. He previously worked as a digital reporter for CBC Ottawa and a producer for CBC's Power & Politics. He holds a master's degree in journalism and a bachelor's degree in public affairs and policy management, both from Carleton University. He also holds a master's degree in arts from Queen's University. He can be reached at darren.major@cbc.ca.