We call on the House of Commons to adopt human rights and due diligence legislation
While global leaders are in the COP26 meetings talking about how to tackle climate change, more and more activists are being threatened and killed for protecting the forests, waters, and biodiversity that our people and our planet are most in need of. The most vulnerable members of our human family are bearing the largest burden, dealing with the worst impacts of climate change and facing negative effects of ill-planned, top-down climate “solutions”.
We know the choices we are making today will shape our communities, our economy, our health and the health of our planet for years to come, so let’s make sure our transition is towards a just economy that addresses integral human development. How can we make sure human rights are respected and environmental harm avoided as we improve our global and national climate policies?
We must make sure that people and the planet are at the centre of our just recovery.
Voluntary measures are not enough
It is time to catch up! Are we ready for Canada to be a real leader in international human rights and responsible business conduct? For over a decade, Canadian companies have been expected to care for the environment and respect human rights. And yet, the lived experiences of Development and Peace partner organizations demonstrates that existing measures are not effective in preventing human and environmental abuses around the world.
We want the obligation to prevent human rights violations to be legally binding. Canadian companies will have to develop and implement human rights and environmental due diligence procedures for their entire supply and value chains, and report on it. With due diligence legislation, if a company fails to undertake reasonable steps the victims of any harm will have access to remedy and meaningful consequences through the Canadian courts.
Progress we have made on our campaign
Can you believe it has already been one year since our People and Planet First campaign was launched! So much has happened, and we are excited to share it all with you.
Over the last year, we have paved the way for our demand for due diligence legislation to reach Canadians across the nation. From sharing our petition and gathering 24,355 signatures to hosting 38 meetings with members of Parliament, our members have done much to show their solidarity and commitment to holding Canadian companies accountable for their environmental and human rights violations abroad.
All this progress could not have been achieved without your support.
However, we are at a crossroads as Canadian parliamentarians are considering another kind of corporate accountability legislation that undermines the goal of compelling companies to adopt due diligence measures and prevent abuses.
To understand why we are pushing for stronger mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence (mHREDD) legislation than the one being considered, refer to the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability’s handy comparative chart.
This fall, to continue pushing for the right kind of mHREDD law, we will be amplifying the voices of our 11,000 members by growing our movement. We invite you to become a member and to join us in advocating, and sharing and signing the petition!
PEOPLE AND PLANET FIRST MEANS…
a different kind of economy: one that brings life not death, one that is inclusive and not exclusive, humane and not dehumanizing, one that cares for the environment and does not despoil it.
Pope Francis
