Business & Human Rights Law
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 2
Contact number
+1 416-367-6000About
Provided by Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
We are at the forefront of the evolving business and human rights legal field. Our advice is based on a comprehensive understanding of how the issue plays out across borders. Our leading international trade practice routinely assists multinationals and SMEs in all aspects of trade and supply chain implementation and compliance. We work nationally and internationally with companies to meet requirements of both legislation and expectations set by international instruments, including the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and OECD UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
We assist clients to understand their human rights exposure and to plan accordingly. This can include:
• designing and implementing due diligence procedures, compliance policies and grievance mechanisms
• supply chain management
• meeting non-financial reporting requirements
• crisis management and dispute resolution
We work with clients across industries in private and public sectors, including mining, security, defence and retail.
We also have dispute resolution experience. Our lawyers have successfully advised and defended companies in civil claims brought by foreign plaintiffs alleging implication in human rights violations. In addition to court claims, we can also assist companies resolving disputes through private arbitration and national mechanisms, including the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) or the OECD National Contact Point.
Chambers Review
Borden Ladner Gervais is a national law firm with a well-integrated international business and human rights team advising corporate clients on global supply chain management in accordance with various laws and standards, particularly regarding new anti-slavery legislation, and the design and implementation of human rights policies. The firm also provides risk advisory and dispute resolution services. The team works with state-owned entities, NGOs and domestic companies from sectors such as mining, retail and food and beverages.
Work Highlights
- Borden Ladner Gervais advised the North American Equipment Dealers Association on developing a standard reporting framework with regards to the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Borden Ladner Gervais is very responsive to our requests for meetings and provides a strong level of service. We deal with a subject matter expert who is able to provide cost-effective advice."
"BLG understands our industry and is able to provide advice accordingly."
"BLG does a great job with follow-ups and answering questions. It has a lot of specialised people to bring to bear on various issues and questions."
"Borden Ladner Gervais is very responsive to our requests for meetings and provides a strong level of service. We deal with a subject matter expert who is able to provide cost-effective advice."
"BLG understands our industry and is able to provide advice accordingly."
"BLG does a great job with follow-ups and answering questions. It has a lot of specialised people to bring to bear on various issues and questions."
Notable Practitioners
Benedict Wray is a senior associate in the firm's Ottawa office. His broad litigation practice involves a particular emphasis on international business and human rights issues. He is particularly active advising private entities on modern slavery issues as well as representing businesses before the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise.
"Benedict Wray is extremely knowledgeable, professional, has strong business acumen and commercial awareness."
"Benedict addresses matters we ask for support on in a timely manner and speaks to topics in a way our commercial stakeholders can understand."
"Benedict is great at advising on matters regarding Bill S-211."