Business and Human Rights: A Commercial Real Estate Guide

Business and Human Rights (BHR) continues to make headlines both in Canada and globally. New laws and regulations are mandating businesses to account for their human rights practices and take steps to ensure their operations and supply chains respect human rights. Commercial Real Estate is not exempt and needs to act to address any shortcomings.

No property owner wants its buildings serviced by victims of human trafficking. No property manager wants to procure supplies manufactured with forced labour. No owner/manager wants its property being the site of human rights abuses. But every stakeholder faces these risks, and they can have varied impacts, including:

• Reputational
• Legal
• Financial

This guide was written to help building owners and managers understand the risks they face, the benefits of being proactive and how to protect human rights in their properties.