The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification, today announced the appointment of Sheri Meyerhoffer as Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), underscoring Canada’s continued commitment to advancing responsible business conduct abroad. The position is the first of its kind in the world. Ms. Meyerhoffer is mandated to review allegations of human rights abuses arising from the operations of Canadian companies abroad. Recommendations made by the Ombudsperson will be reported publicly, and companies that do not cooperate could face trade measures, including the withdrawal of trade advocacy services and future Export Development Canada support. While serving in this role, the new Ombudsperson will focus on the mining, oil and gas, and garment sectors and is expected to expand to other sectors in the first year of operation.

... The Ombudsperson will be guided by internationally respected norms, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The roles of the new ombudsperson and the existing Canadian National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are complementary. The Ombudsperson may refer cases to the NCP, where appropriate, and where parties are in agreement.