Ombud-initiated reviews

As provided under ss. 4(d) of the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE)’s mandate, the ombud may initiate a review of a possible human rights abuse falling within the CORE’s mandate. As part of the CORE’s commitment to predictable and transparent processes, the CORE has established five criteria to guide the ombud’s choice of possible human rights abuse for review. While the decision to review a possible human rights abuse is at the discretion of the ombud, the five criteria help guide the decision-making process.

Ombud-initiated review criteria

Systemic

The possible human rights abuse is significant because it appears to impact a large number of people, in a particularly severe way, across a number of regions or countries, throughout the garment, mining, and/or oil and gas sector(s), and/or represents a persistent or long-standing issue within one or more of these three sectors.

Underserved groups and communities

Those affected by the possible human rights abuse may be particularly disenfranchised and/or marginalized. This could mean that there is a disproportionate impact on those affected by the possible human rights abuse or that the individual(s) face particular challenges in claiming their rights.

Feasibility or appropriateness

The nature of the possible human rights abuse is appropriate for a public and participatory review process and the relevant information, expertise, and resources needed to review the issue in sufficient depth to enable a meaningful process are likely to be available.

Impact

A review of the possible human rights abuse is likely to result in meaningful and relevant findings, remedies, and/or recommendations, as appropriate, towards strengthening respect for human rights by Canadian companies operating abroad in the garment, mining, and/or oil and gas sectors. 

Strategic relevance

A review of the possible human rights abuse aligns with the CORE’s mandate and strategic priorities.

For further information on how ombud-initiated reviews will be conducted, please see section 10 of our operating procedures.