Ottawa—June 22, 2026. Inter Pares, a Canadian social justice organization and member of the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability (CNCA), is deeply dismayed following the Canadian government’s decision to eliminate the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Corporate Accountability (CORE). This decision represents a serious setback for human rights, transparency and the accountability of Canadian companies operating abroad.

Government of Canada breaks its promise

When the CORE was announced in 2018, the government promised a powerful mechanism for addressing allegations of human rights violations linked to the activities of Canadian companies abroad. Yet instead of strengthening this mechanism, the government dismantled it, leaving many communities and individuals harmed by Canadian companies nowhere to turn for help.

The dismantling of the CORE comes after years of the government’s quiet backtracking on its commitment to install an Ombudsperson with robust powers to investigate abuses and redress the human rights violations associated with Canadian corporations operating abroad.

Canada dismantles CORE with no consultation

The government’s decision to abolish the CORE was taken without consulting civil society—who, for the last year, have been discussing with the government in how to strengthen its mandate. The government also failed to inform the dozens of communities who trusted the CORE to receive their complaints of serious human rights abuses by Canadian companies. These cases have been left to stagnate for over a year. The government's behaviour sends a troubling signal to individuals and communities who, often at considerable risk, have chosen to speak out against corporate abuse.

“The government’s decision to dismantle the CORE runs counter to Canada’s human rights commitments,” asserts Fernande Abanda, Inter Pares co-manager. “Canada cannot claim to defend human rights on the international stage while simultaneously weakening the mechanisms that allow people affected by the activities of Canadian companies to assert their rights.” 

Inter Pares, together with 35 member organizations of the CNCA, campaigned for an independent ombudsperson for over a decade. During that time, thousands of Inter Pares supporters spoke up on behalf of communities in the Global South suffering from human rights abuses associated with Canadian companies. Once announced, CNCA and Inter Pares tracked the implementation of the CORE and raised the alarm when the government began to renege on its promise. 

Canada must reconsider its decision to eliminate the CORE

This decision comes at a time when calls for greater corporate accountability are growing worldwide. 

“Even if the government introduces new legislation to mitigate the harm caused by Canadian companies abroad,” continues Abanda, “We echo our colleagues at the CNCA: there is no legislation that can compensate for the loss of the only federal mechanism mandated to investigate human rights violations and recommend avenues for justice.”

Inter Pares urges the Government of Canada to reconsider its decision and to re-establish the CORE as an independent, robust mechanism with credible investigative powers. Canada must work in collaboration with civil society, affected communities and human rights defenders to ensure genuine accountability from Canadian companies.

Inter Pares will continue to work in solidarity with its counterparts and allies in Canada and around the world to promote economic models based on justice, human dignity, equality, and accountability. 

For more information, please contact:

Fernande Abanda
fabanda@interpares.ca