Today, MiningWatch Canada joined allies in the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA) in denouncing the federal government's decision to shut down the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE).
MiningWatch has long advocated for an effective Ombudsperson who could receive complaints from communities harmed by Canadian mining projects, carry out an investigation, and recommend remedy. Together with the CNCA, we succeeded in securing a government commitment to such an office in January 2018. By the time the CORE was finally established in 2019, however, intensive industry lobbying had succeeded in removing the office's independence, as well as the necessary investigatory powers. It appears the office was set up to fail. But the solution has always been to reinforce the office, not eliminate it.
The following statement was made by Diana Martin, MiningWatch Canada Co-Manager, during a joint press conference held by civil society groups and Members of Parliament, denouncing the elimination of the CORE. Watch the full press conference here.
For more than 25 years, MiningWatch Canada has documented allegations of serious human rights abuses and environmental harm linked to Canadian mining companies operating abroad. We have stood with dozens of affected communities as they fight to stop the harm and seek accountability in Canada, where these companies are headquartered.
Together with our partners in the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability, we fought for an ombudsperson who could hear complaints, investigate wrongdoing, and provide remedy. Although the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise - CORE - lacked the independence and powers it was promised, it remained one of the few avenues for communities harmed by Canadian mining companies to seek accountability.
Today, we condemn the federal government’s decision to shut this office down.
For years, Canadian embassies directed affected communities to bring their complaints to the CORE. Some did. For instance, one Indigenous human rights defender filed a complaint in 2023 against a Canadian mining company operating in Asia. The CORE accepted the case after finding grounds to believe Indigenous rights to self-determination may have been violated. The complaint is now abandoned.
We understand there are at least 24 active cases that can no longer move forward. These are people who came forward in good faith, investing extraordinary time, energy, and courage. They were not warned the office would be closed.
At a moment when Canada is accelerating mining at home and abroad, accountability mechanisms are being weakened. The global rush for critical minerals is increasing pressure on communities and ecosystems, making oversight more important than ever.
Closing the CORE does not make these human rights abuse allegations disappear. The answer is to strengthen accountability, not dismantle it. Communities deserve better. Canada can and must do better.
For more information,
- CNCA statement on the elimination of the CORE (June 12, 2026)
- CNCA press release (June 18, 2026)