After 20 years of public education and advocacy work on the international financial institutions, the Halifax Initiative closed its doors in early 2015. This website archives much of the coalition’s work since its formation in 1994.
In 2015, a new organization, Above Ground, was established to build on the Halifax Initiative’s work on corporate accountability. Learn more about Above Ground at www.aboveground.ngo.
Tax revenues in both Northern and the Southern countries are being eroded largely due to tax evasion by multinational corporations. We promote improved financial transparency, reform of global tax rules, and tax compliance as corporate and government accountability issues. See also, our Tax Justice Resource List.
The overseas operations of Canadian companies can generate significant harm to communities and environments. The victims of corporate abuse often lack access to impartial domestic courts and face tremendous hurdles accessing the Canadian judiciary. By working to improve foreign claimants’ access to Canadian courts, we seek to deter abusive corporate practice and to ensure that aggrieved parties are afforded remedy.
The Canadian government provides significant financing for the public and private sectors through domestic and international financial institutions. We seek the adoption of enhanced transparency and accountability measures regarding the operations of Export Development Canada and the World Bank.