The petition alleges that a Canadian company’s extractive operations in Namibia’s portion of the Okavango Delta watershed have resulted in environmental and human rights risks. According to the petition, the company:
- drilled inside a protected conservancy without prior consent of the Indigenous communities living on the land
- contaminated water sources because of the use of unlined drilling waste pits
- misled investors with respect to hydraulic fracturing
The petition seeks updates on how the Government of Canada investigates and responds to environmental and human rights concerns involving Canadian extractive companies abroad. It seeks clarification on the role of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, what federal mechanisms are available to assess documented allegations of environmental harm, and the government’s response to international calls for stronger independent investigative and accountability mechanisms. The petition questions how Canada assesses environmental and human rights risks and how it determines whether companies receiving federal trade and promotional support are meeting Canada’s international commitments and expectations for responsible conduct abroad.