Development and Peace — Caritas Canada’s Annual campaign
Compiled by Joanne Steckler and Bernice Daratha, Diocesan Development and Peace Committee
(Source – www.devp.org)
“People and Planet First!” — What does this year’s annual campaign title mean to you?
“A different kind of economy: one that brings life, not death, one that is inclusive and not exclusive, humane and not dehumanizing, one that cares for the environment and does not despoil it.” – Pope Francis
Injustice in Canada versus the Global South
In Canada, most people can speak out freely when injustice is committed. In many countries of the Global South, however, communities are threatened when they seek to protect their rights, especially their right to a healthy environment. This climate of insecurity is often fuelled by the presence and influence of corporations, some of which are Canadian.
Canadian companies involved in human and environmental abuses
For over a decade, Canadian companies have been expected to care for the environment and respect human rights. And yet, the lived experiences of Development and Peace partner organizations demonstrate that existing measures are not effective in preventing human and environmental abuses around the world. Voluntary measures are not enough!
(Image from www.devp.org)
Call for Canada to be a real leader in international human rights and responsible business conduct
We want the obligation to prevent human rights violations to be legally binding. Canadian companies should have to develop and implement human rights and environmental due diligence procedures for their entire supply and value chains, and report on it. With due diligence legislation, if a company fails to undertake reasonable steps, the victims of any harm will have access to remedy and meaningful consequences through Canadian courts.
Sign the Development and Peacce/Caritas petition to the House of Commons asking the federal government to enact laws that will compel Canadian companies to conduct due diligence across their overseas operations and that will give the victims of their abuses access to justice in Canadian courts: LINK to online petition.
“Today, however, we have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”– Laudato Si’ #49
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