BUSINESS ETHICS IN CANADA - DISTINCTIVENESS AND DIRECTIONS

This article examines the pressures and players that have shaped busin ess ethics in Canadian corporations, and reports on the status of Cana dian corporate social performance in 1995. Business in Canada has not been subject, up to 1996, to a powerful national institutional framewo rk such as the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Foreign C orrupt Practices Act. Consequently, business ethics in Canada have dev eloped primarily in response to broader socio-political and socio-econ omic factors than in the US, and will probably continue to do so. Inte restingly, the issues, policies and practices developed in Canada may provide insights for US corporations as they respond to broadened pres sures. Business ethics in Canada, on the other hand, will benefit incr easingly from the US experience as pressures grow for national regulat ion and statutes governing corruption.