New Democrat bill ensures corporate accountability for Canadian firms operating abroad

OTTAWA – On Wednesday, New Democrat International Trade Critic Peter Julian re-introduced his private member’s bill, to extend the authority of Canada’s Federal Court to protect foreign citizens against rights violations committed by corporations operating outside of Canada.

The International Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Act (IPPHRA) will hold violators accountable for gross human rights abuses regardless of where they take place. The IPPHRA would allow lawsuits in Canada for a host of universal human rights violations such as genocide and torture. In addition, it would prohibit activity that significantly degrades the environment or violates key international labour rights. The United States has had similar legislation that grants its courts the authority to enforce international law since 1789.

“It is high time that Canadian corporate entities lead by example and take responsibility for human rights abuses committed by their corporations outside Canadian borders,” said Julian. “This bill sets a fair and balanced approach to this ongoing problem. It ensures that victims can seek compensation in Canada for the egregious conduct of our companies overseas and would also provide companies a Canadian legal route to help clear their names if false allegations are made against them.”

This innovative bill was developed in close cooperation with Nick E. Milanovic, Adjunct Research Professor at the Department of Law of Carleton University, and Mark Rowlinson, Counsel for the United Steelworkers. It has been endorsed by the Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers.

“This human rights problem is so pressing that Supreme Court of Canada Justice Ian Binnie took it upon himself to call on lawmakers to consider enacting new legislation that would enable Canadian companies to be sued domestically for human rights violations abroad. I, like many other lawyers and law professors, urge Parliament to consider passing this bill as it provides the actual reforms contemplated by Mr. Justice Binnie” stated Milanovic.