Roma De Robertis, Saint John, NB

Advocating for Canadian corporate accountability abroad – as encouraged by organizations such as Development and Peace-Caritas Canada; KAIROS Canada and Amnesty International Canada

The Editor:

Here is an advocacy letter formatted as a form letter. Please feel free to use; to translate. (We’re invited to print our name on the first line, etc.) This same letter is intended to be sent separately to three different recipients. An outline is below.

Thank you.

TAKING ACTION LETTER BACKGROUND AND OUTLINE

Dear Sisters, Associates, Friends:

Thank you for your awareness, prayer and participation.

I prepared this advocacy letter on our behalf in consultation with a justice mentor in Edmonton. The focus is effective accountability for Canadian-based businesses operating abroad. Key areas of concern are mining and the garment industry, with serious issues regarding human rights and the environment.

For about 10 years, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Development and Peace-Caritas Canada; KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, and Amnesty International Canada have been calling for an independent ombudsperson to investigate reports of human rights and environmental abuses connected with Canadian industries operating abroad.

Early in 2018, the federal Liberal government announced it would establish an Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. However, NGOs point out that the office is ineffective and lacks real independence. These NGOs are asking us to advocate for an effective ombudsperson with real independence from business and government.

The form letter in the right-hand column, is intended for three different federal legislators, so if you will, please sign and send three individual copies separately. All letters are postage-free.

In separate envelopes, please send one copy to Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau; another copy to small business and international trade minister, Hon. Mary Ng and a third copy to your member of Parliament.

* Please include your MP’s name and constituency on the bottom of the letter (cc:). Please use the same general House of Commons address.

Thank you again for your kind co-operation. Gratitude to women here in Saint John who collaborated to provide what is needed for this initiative.

Autumn blessings ~ Roma (De Robertis, SCIC

Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business,

Export Promotion and International Trade House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Ng,

I urge you and the federal government to act promptly to ensure effective Canadian corporate accountability for mining, oil, gas and garment industries operating abroad. Canada urgently needs an ombudsperson with robust powers of investigation who is independent from both government and business.

As we hear from non-governmental organizations and local peoples on the ground – including many Indigenous peoples – Canadian-based companies operating abroad are party to human rights abuses and environmental degradation. This is completely unacceptable and needs to change. Clearly, current voluntary measures for industry have proven inadequate and ineffective. The Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise needs to be empowered with independence and full authority to thoroughly investigate human rights abuse allegations. Canada also needs to enact a comprehensive human rights due diligence law which compels businesses to respect the most current international human rights standards. Such a law needs to apply throughout their global operations and supply chains and hold them liable for harms caused by, or on behalf of their operations.

Canadians expect our country to be “open for justice” and not only for business and profit. Our international partners also have a right to expect the highest standards for Canadian corporate responsibility and accountability. Canada needs to honour its international commitments and adequately support an effective, impartial ombudsperson. I look forward to hearing from you about this important matter.

Sincerely,

(Name) (Date) (Address) (Signature) cc: [Your MP]