The Canadian Press
OTTAWA: The federal government clashed this week with a United Nations panel over whether a major international treaty applies to potential human rights violations by Canadian resources companies operating abroad.
The sharp difference of opinion was one of several flashpoints between Canada and the UN Human Rights Committee, which wrapped three days of hearings Wednesday in Geneva.
The committee wanted information on how Canada implements the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, but found the initial answers wanting.
According to a UN document summarizing the proceedings, among them was the government’s point of view that the treaty does not apply to Canadians working in foreign countries.
But the panel said the committee is the arbiter for interpreting the covenant, not individual states.
The committee will issue a final report in two weeks.
© 2015 The Canadian Press
