OTTAWA – The Canadian Bar Association (CBA) has adopted model business principles to combat forced labour, labour trafficking and illegal or harmful child labour that will help lawyers in private practice and in-house counsel to encourage their business clients to guard against labour abuses in their operations.
The model principles were put forward by the CBA’s Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (CCCA). “Through our work in this area, the CCCA has broken new ground in the Canadian legal landscape. We now have a tool for lawyers to assist their clients in meeting their goals of corporate social responsibility, and preventing child and forced labour in their businesses and business supply chains,” says Frédéric Pérodeau, chair of CCCA.
The model principles were the culmination of a 10-month effort of a CCCA working group. “The resulting principles are based on work done by the American Bar Association, and reference Canadian and international laws and business codes relating to labour abuses, for a document that serves the distinct needs of Canadian businesses,” adds Frédéric Pérodeau.
As well, the work is in line with international standards from the International Labour Organization and the United Nations.
The document offers commentary and guidance on the four model principles, as well as a glossary of terms. “These principles are proactive and will hopefully frame future conversations around these types of labour abuses in Canada,” concludes Frédéric Pérodeau.
An integral group within the CBA, the CCCA is dedicated to supporting and enhancing the interests of Canadian corporate counsel. The CCCA provides uniquely Canadian perspectives, resources, tools, professional development, conferences, and peer-to-peer networking opportunities.
The CBA is dedicated to support for the rule of law, and improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 36,000 lawyers, notaries in Quebec, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.