Can Ethical Business Practices by Canadian Organizations Elevate Canada’s Global Leadership in Africa, or Is It a Delusion Bound to Fail?

In recent years, Canadian enterprises, particularly within the extractive industries, have significantly expanded their operations in Africa, offering the promise of economic development alongside access to valuable resources. Yet, this expansion has come at a considerable cost, as cases such as Barrick ’s North Mara mine in Tanzania have brought into sharp relief the pressing need for Canada to reassess how we hold our corporations accountable for their actions abroad. The lawsuits alleging human rights violations in Ontario (Canada) courts against Barrick are a stark reminder of the ethical dilemmas that arise when Canadian corporations engage in business on foreign soil without sufficient oversight.

Canada, a nation that prides itself on upholding a “rules-based international order,” risks undermining these very principles by failing to enforce adequate corporate accountability mechanisms for its companies operating overseas. In particular, the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, Masud HUSAIN (CORE), though well-intentioned, remains woefully underpowered in its current form. The office’s inability to compel documents, testimony, or even enact binding recommendations renders it little more than a symbolic gesture—hardly the robust oversight body that Canada so urgently needs to maintain its credibility internationally.

The Case for Empowering CORE

Recent events, such as the allegations surrounding Barrick Gold and Hudbay Minerals Inc. , illustrate the severity of this issue. Reports of excessive force, including deaths, linked to local police forces employed by Canadian subsidiaries, reflect not merely a failure of corporate governance but a deeper erosion of moral and ethical responsibility. Such incidents cast a long shadow over Canada’s image as a proponent of human rights and justice, particularly within Africa, where trust in Western enterprises is already fragile.

CORE’s current lack of substantive investigatory power severely hampers its effectiveness. Without the authority to compel evidence or testimony, it remains a watchdog in name only—unable to uncover the full extent of corporate malfeasance or offer meaningful remedies. This deficiency not only diminishes Canada’s standing in regards to international human rights but also exposes the country to accusations of hypocrisy. We must ask ourselves: how can Canada credibly advocate for a global rules-based order while allowing its own corporations to flout ethical standards abroad?

Moreover, these failures do not occur in isolation. The Global South, particularly African states and the African Union , have long been wary of Western duplicity—where lofty rhetoric on human rights is rarely matched by meaningful action. If Canada does not take decisive steps to rectify this imbalance, we risk further entrenching this perception, weakening our relations and partnerships with the continent who are increasingly seeking alternative alliances. At stake is nothing less than our global credibility and our ability to act as a responsible international partner.

The Consequences of Inaction

Should Canada continue to allow CORE to languish as an ineffectual entity, the consequences will be far-reaching. First, it fundamentally undermines the very principles of fairness, justice, and accountability that Canada purports to champion. In doing so, we not only risk our moral authority but also our relationships with state across Africa and internationally. In an era where African countries are diversifying their diplomatic and economic partnerships—often looking beyond traditional Western allies—Canada’s failure to hold its corporations accountable could lead to a significant loss of influence and trust.

Equally concerning is the impact on Canada's international reputation. As we continue position ourselves as advocates for a rules-based order, particularly in international forums like the United Nations , the cognitive dissonance between our public posture and private actions becomes untenable. The lawsuits against Barrick Gold demonstrate that, without stronger mechanisms of accountability, Canada will be seen as tacitly endorsing the exploitation of vulnerable communities—a perception we can ill afford to cultivate.

Furthermore, this lack of accountability perpetuates a dangerous precedent whereby Canadian organizations can engage in unethical practices abroad with little fear of consequences. This is not only an abdication of responsibility but also a betrayal of the values we hold dear as a nation. If Canadian corporations can act with impunity abroad, we weaken the very foundation of international law and justice that we so fervently claim to defend.

A Call for Ethical Leadership

The solution lies in empowering CORE with the full authority it requires to be an effective watchdog. This includes granting it the ability to compel testimony, obtain critical documents, and issue binding recommendations. Furthermore, Canada must legislate mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence for all Canadian companies operating abroad. These measures will ensure that companies are held accountable not only in the jurisdictions where they operate but also within Canada itself—where ethical oversight must not be optional, but mandatory.

Canadian enterprises, including NGOs, that violate the law or engage in unethical practices in African jurisdictions should face accountability here at home. Failure to do so risks rendering Canada’s stance on human rights little more than hollow rhetoric. The Global South is no longer willing to tolerate double standards, and if we continue to sidestep our responsibilities, we will be relegated to the ever-growing list of Western nations that have lost credibility on the world stage.

We can either choose the path of genuine accountability and uphold the values we espouse, or we can allow short-term corporate interests to dictate our foreign policy. Strengthening CORE is not merely an option—it is a necessity if we are to maintain our integrity and foster transparent, sustainable partnerships with Africa. Only by holding our corporations accountable can we truly lead by example and reinforce the very principles of justice and fairness that we claim to uphold. This an opportunity for Canada to act decisively, lest we find ourselves complicit in the very abuses we claim to condemn.

Once again, we must ask ourselves: how can Canada credibly advocate for a global rules-based order while allowing its own corporations to flout ethical standards abroad?

By Templar K. , Executive Director, Canadian Centre for African Affairs and Policy Research / Senior Fellow, University of Toronto - Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy