Human rights

As an international management and holding company, we recognize the role we have to play in supporting and respecting the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights. We believe that respecting and protecting human rights is fundamental to creating long-term sustainable value. We also believe that it is our responsibility as an employer to offer a workplace where all people are treated with respect and dignity, in an inclusive and safe work environment. 

Commitment

As a matter of principle, respect for human rights has always been embedded in our responsible management philosophy as defined by our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Corporate Sustainability Statement and our Respectful Workplace Policy and Procedures. Building on this strong foundation of acting responsibly, we became signatories to the United Nations Global Compact, formalizing our commitment to support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights and to creating and maintaining a work environment of equal opportunity characterized by mutual trust and the absence of intimidation, discrimination, oppression and exploitation. 

Responsibility

Upholding our commitment to respect human rights is the responsibility of our entire Corporation. The Vice-President and General Counsel, our Sustainability Lead, is responsible for providing oversight on our human rights commitments, as reflected in our Corporate Sustainability Statement, whereas our Vice-President, Human Resources and Administration is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Respectful Workplace Policy and Procedures.

Implementation

Human rights are considered during our dealings with business partners and within our own investment analysis process, when relevant. We also collaborate with our group companies to share knowledge on human rights management practices and to identify areas of opportunity.

We also engage with the senior management of our group companies, both formally and informally, and as needed, to gain a proper understanding of how their management teams are addressing human rights when questions or issues arise.

We provide our employees with annual training on our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and on our Respectful Workplace Policy and Procedures, which emphasize our commitment to provide a respectful and equitable workplace.

In addition, we extend our human rights commitment to third parties that work for/on our behalf, through our Third Party Code of Conduct.

In accordance with Canada’s Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, the Corporation publishes an annual Modern Slavery Report in which it reports on the assessment of its business and supply chains for the risk of modern slavery.

We also support initiatives that promote human rights in our community. For example, Power Corporation supports Lawyers Without Borders Canada, a non-governmental international cooperation organization whose mission is to support the defense of the human rights of people in situations of vulnerability by strengthening access to justice and legal representation, as well as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, whose mandate is to explore the subject of human rights, with special but not exclusive reference to Canada, in order to enhance the public's understanding of human rights, to promote respect for others, and to encourage reflection and dialogue. For many years, the Corporation has also been supporting Journalists for Human Rights and its mission to mobilize media to cover human rights in ways that help communities help themselves.

Monitoring and review

Our progress on sustainability, including human rights, is reported annually to the Board through its Governance and Sustainability Committee.