The Trudeau cabinet hopes to legally force Canadian companies abroad to follow a climate change code of conduct.
As reported on by Blacklock’s Reporter, the document titled Consulting Canadians On The Development of a Renewed Responsible Business Conduct Strategy hopes to make oil and resource companies to be “positive on the local environment.”
“The Government of Canada believes that wherever Canadian companies are operating, local communities including women, youth and Indigenous people must be meaningfully engaged and that the impact of the operations of a Canadian company abroad should be positive on the local environment,” claimed the notice.
If implemented the code would “enhance accountability” and “guide the government and Canadian companies that are active abroad in all industry sectors for the next five years.”
In 2019, the Liberals appointed Sheri Meyerhoffer to the role of Canadian Ombudsman for Responsible Enterprise. Meyerhoffer is being paid $216,000-a year to review “claims of alleged human rights abuses arising from the operations of Canadian companies abroad in the mining, oil and gas and garment sectors.”
“You may have bad actors, but that is not every Canadian or every situation. I think broadly speaking, those are the norms that we follow. They’re the norms we promote,” said Meyerhoffer about her role.
The Liberal government is expected to introduce new green recovery measures this week when parliament returns.
According to Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, an “ambitious” plan is currently in the works.
“Part of my mandate is to develop an enhanced climate plan for Canada that will demonstrate clearly how we will exceed our 2030 targets. I have been working on that since the day that I was sworn in as environment minister. And some of that work has accelerated during this period,” Wilkinson told CBC News on Friday.
