...The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, today announced two new initiatives to strengthen Canada’s approach to responsible business conduct for Canadian companies doing business and operating abroad.

The first is the creation of an independent Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), the first of its kind in the world. The CORE will be mandated to investigate allegations of human rights abuses linked to Canadian corporate activity abroad. The CORE will seek to assist wherever possible in collaboratively resolving disputes or conflicts between impacted communities and Canadian companies. It will be empowered to independently investigate, report, recommend remedy and monitor its implementation. The CORE’s scope will be multi-sectoral, initially focussing on the mining, oil and gas, and garment sectors, with the expectation to expand within a year of the Ombudsperson taking office to other business sectors. The creation of the CORE sets a new global benchmark to ensure responsible business conduct globally.

The second is the creation of a multi-stakeholder Advisory Body to advise the Government and the CORE on responsible business conduct abroad...