Cda's Responsible Business Conduct Due Diligence Reporting Standard--Update

The at Toronto Metropolitan University*(TMU) is pleased to present an online interactive zoom session, Update regarding Canada's Responsible Business Conduct Due Diligence & Reporting Standard for Canadian Firms Active Abroad--An "in conversation" session, on Friday, June 2, from 12 noon to 1:30 pm, Toronto time, (details below).

To register (no cost, everyone welcome) click then press the "register" button.

To access the zoom on Friday, June 2 at 12 noon (Toronto time), click to patch in for the live session. This session is exclusively a zoom event: there is no in-person component.

Information will be provided during the session re: how to submit questions.

About the Responsible Business Conduct Due Diligence & Reporting Standard for Canadian Firms Active Abroad

The Responsible Business Conduct Due Diligence and Reporting standard for Canadian firms active abroad is a central component of Global Affairs Canada's Responsible Business Conduct Abroad Strategy. As the Strategy notes, "...due diligence is the process enterprises are expected to carry out to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for how they address actual and potential adverse impacts of their operations, supply chains and relationships."

Global Affairs Canada describes responsible business conduct as being "about de-risking – integrating the management of risks to the environment, people and society within the core of business activities." The 2022-2027 GAC RBC strategy goes on to state that: "[r]esponsible business principles and standards set out the expectation that businesses...contribute to sustainable development, while avoiding and addressing adverse impacts of their operations and recognizes that companies have leverage to promote these values throughout their supply chains and business relationships."

When it is completed, the published National Standard of Canada should assist Canadian businesses in ensuring that their overseas activities meet globally recognized expectations pertaining to human rights, worker rights, the environment, anti-corruption, consumer protection, and other issues. But the standard should also be of assistance to investors, governments, communities, courts, and other stakeholders who are evaluating the practices and performance of Canadian companies operating abroad.

The purpose of this session is to provide background on the standard and progress to date.

About the Speakers

Discussing the standard will be Terry Cowl of Global Affairs Canada (the sponsor of the standard), Kernaghan Webb of Toronto Metropolitan University and Geoff Smith of the Mining Association of Canada. Kernaghan Webb and Geoff Smith are Chair and Vice-Chair of the committee developing the responsible business conduct due diligence reporting standard for Canadian companies active abroad.

Speaker Terry Cowl

Since August 2021, Terry Cowl has been the Director of Trade Strategy and Responsible Business Conduct at Global Affairs Canada. Terry’s team leads on Canada’s Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) policy and programming and provides strategic advice concerning the Trade Commissioner Service of Canada in areas such as supply chain management and trade diversification. Prior to his current role, Terry was Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Consulate General of Canada – San Francisco/Silicon Valley (2017-2021). His earlier assignments at Global Affairs Canada include Director of Economic Analysis and Coordination Division, Deputy Director of the North America Commercial Relations Section and Economic Advisor for the North America Bureau. From 2007-2010, Terry served as Canada's ASEAN Regional Economic Advisor, based out of the High Commission of Canada in Singapore. Before joining Global Affairs Canada, he held positions in other portfolios within the federal government - such as the Privy Council Office, Natural Resources Canada and Canadian Heritage. Originally from Nova Scotia, Terry holds a Masters degree in International Affairs (Carleton), a Masters degree in Political Science (Waterloo) and a Bachelors degree in Political Science (Acadia).

Speaker Kernaghan Webb

Kernaghan Webb is an Associate Professor in Toronto Metropolitan University's Law and Business Department. He is also the Director of the Toronto Metropolitan University Institute for the Study of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He holds Bachelors, Masters, and PhD degrees in law. Dr. Webb’s teaching, research and practice has focused on innovative approaches to regulation. Dr. Webb was a Special Advisor to the UN Global Compact (UNGC), and represented the UNGC in the ISO 26000 development process. In addition to being appointed the Chair of the due diligence and reporting standard for Canadian companies operating abroad, he is the Chair of ISO TC 324 WG 1 (sharing economy). He has been the recipient of national and international awards in recognition of his work. Professor Webb was previously Chief of Research and Senior Legal Policy Advisor for the federal Office of Consumer Affairs. Dr. Webb has published extensively on regulatory and CSR issues, and his work on due diligence as it pertains to regulatory offences has been cited and followed by the Supreme Court of Canada. He has been an advisor to, a consultant for, on the board/committee of, or otherwise represented a wide number of government departments/agencies, private sector organizations, multi-stakeholder organizations and civil society organizations on issues associated with public policy, law, and regulation.

Speaker Geoff Smith

Geoff Smith is Vice President, Government Relations at the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), a position he has held since 2017, and serves as Vice Chair of the technical committee that is developing the responsible business conduct due diligence reporting standard for Canadian companies active abroad. As MAC’s Vice President, Government Relations, Geoff is responsible for identifying opportunities and developing strategies to advance MAC priorities in Ottawa. Having spent eight years as the Director of Government Relations for the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) prior to joining MAC, Geoff is well versed in federal energy and resource policy. Geoff has significant Parliamentary experience, and for over a decade served as a political advisor to federal Ministers of Industry; Citizenship and Immigration; and several Members of Parliament from Ontario and British Columbia. Geoff also serves as MAC’s representative on the Mining Industry Human Resources Council’s Board of Directors.

Moderator

Moderating the session will be Dr. Kernaghan Webb, Director of the Toronto Metropolitan University CSR Institute and a Law and Business professor in TMU's Ted Rogers School of Management.

The talk is co-sponsored by the TMU Corporate Social Responsibility Student Association, and the TMU Law and Business Student Association.  

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(November 15, 2022)

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Online Webinar: broadcasting from Toronto Metropolitan University's Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto, Canada