Quarterly report on inquiries and complaints – Q3 2023-2024

The CORE publishes statistics about all submissions, inquiries and complaints received every three months (quarterly) from April to March (the fiscal year).

A submission includes both inquiries and complaints (defined below) at the point received by the CORE.

An inquiry is a request for information about filing a complaint or a request to file a complaint about an issue that is clearly outside the CORE’s mandate (for example, a complaint about something that happened in Canada).

A complaint is about an issue that looks like it may be within the CORE’s mandate^{Footnote 1} . The CORE provides more information about inquiries and complaints in its annual report.

Unclassified is a submission yet to be identified as either an inquiry or a complaint.

Third quarter 2023-2024 (October 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023)

Highlights of this quarter

Submissions received (65)

Inquiries (63)

Sixty-three new inquiries were received during this quarter and referred to another forum or organization for assistance if necessary.

Complaints (1)

One new complaint received:

• One complaint alleging human rights abuses in the mining sector in Africa is in the intake stage where its admissibility is being reviewed.

Unclassified (1)

There is 1 unclassified submission received during this period.

Fig. 1 Total number of submissions received during this quarter

Publication of Initial Assessment reports

Two initial assessment reports were published regarding the allegation of the use of, or benefitting from the use of, Uyghur forced labour in their operations or supply chains in China.

• The Initial Assessment report detailing the complaint against Guess? Canada Corporation announced the launch of an Investigation into the complaint
• The Initial Assessment report detailing the complaint against Zara Canada Inc. announced the launch of an Investigation into the complaint

Summary of all active complaints

The CORE currently has 21 active complaints under our review. There is one complaint in the garment sector and four complaints in the mining sector currently in intake. Five complaints in the garment sector and one complaint in the mining sector are currently in the initial assessment stage. There are eight complaints in the garment sector and one complaint in the mining sector currently in the investigation stage. There is one complaint in the mining sector currently in the follow-up on recommendations stage.

Fig. 2 Total current active complaints to-date demonstrated by sector and current stage of the complaint process.

For information on past inquiries and complaints, please see our previous quarterly reports:

Q1- Q3 2021 – 2022 March 15 - December 31

Q4 2021 – 2022 January 1 - March 31

Q1 2022 – 2023 April 1 - June 31

Q2 2022 – 2023 July 1 - September 30

Q3 2022 – 2023 October 1 - December 31

Q4 2022 - 2023 January 1 – March 31

Q1 2023 - 3024 April 1 – June 30

Q2 2023 - 2024 July 1 – September 30, 2023