Human Rights
Our commitments to respect human rights
At Scotiabank, respect for human rights is fundamental to the way we do business and is part of our core values across all of our business activities and operations. Guided by our purpose, for every future, we have chosen to adopt this Human Rights Statement at the highest level of our organization
Scotiabank's Human Rights Statement
Scotiabank’s Modern Slavery Report
Our Human Rights Impacts and Approach
Our Human Rights Impacts and Approach
Every four years, Scotiabank commissions an external team of expert consultants to conduct an enterprise-wide Human Rights Assessment. The most recent Assessment took place in late 2025. Guided by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, specifically principle 181, the Assessment identified the most salient human rights impacts2 related to the Bank’s workforce, banking and investment services, and procurement practices, using the internationally recognized criteria of scope, scale, remediability, and likelihood.
Through an extensive review of over 70 internal and public documents and in-depth interviews with over 50 internal and external stakeholders, the following issues were identified to be salient across our global footprint. These issues apply to varying degrees across our business, operations, and supply chain, and have different levels of impact depending on the local context, nature of business relationships, and other factors. While findings reaffirmed the continued salience of issues raised by past assessments, they also pointed to community impacts and environmental impacts on people as areas of emerging importance. Overall insights and recommendations from the Assessment are used to inform the Bank’s approach to managing its human rights impacts, risks and opportunities.
| Impact Area | Our approach | Additional information |
| Access to Remedy | Scotiabank is committed to enabling individuals to raise concerns. A variety of mechanisms exist that allow employees, clients, and other stakeholders to voice their human rights concerns. Concerns brought to the Bank will be investigated and appropriate action taken. Scotiabank will protect from retaliation any party who raises concerns. | |
| Community impacts | We continue to explore ways to integrate human rights due diligence into our corporate, commercial and international banking processes. Incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk considerations in decision-making processes across other risk types and business strategies is a principle of our ESG Risk Management Framework. This includes consideration of whether our operations, those of third parties or client activities risk negative impacts on vulnerable communities. | |
| Data Privacy and Protection | The Bank’s approach to data privacy and security is founded on a comprehensive privacy program, data ethics, and responsible use of artificial intelligence. These safeguards are designed to ensure clients can have confidence and rely on the Bank to protect data and deliver secure and responsible banking services. | |
| Discrimination and Equal Opportunity | Scotiabank is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and violence. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunity and have specific initiatives to promote inclusion in compliance with local laws We also strive to be respectful, inclusive and responsive to exceed client expectations wherever we operate. This includes supporting the many different communities we serve, ensuring our systems and processes are fair and free from bias, and providing services that are respectful and accessible to all clients. |
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| Environmental Impacts on People | Scotiabank’s ESG Risk Management Framework recognizes the intersections between environmental, social and governance issues and that addressing them requires a multi-dimensional approach. Our approach to managing ESG risks seeks to mitigate significant adverse impacts of the Bank’s facilities and operations on the environment and local communities. Scotiabank has also established ESG risk lending policies that address financing for certain high-risk activities and projects (see additional information). For non-retail business banking clients, assessment of environmental (including climate-related) and social risks is embedded within the credit risk due diligence and adjudication processes. | |
| Indigenous Peoples’ Rights | We acknowledge and respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, consistent with the laws in the jurisdictions where we operate. The Bank has committed to a journey of reconciliation that is focused on building and sustaining trust-based relationships with Indigenous clients, communities and employees in Canada. We recognize our responsibility to address the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, with a specific emphasis on section 92, which requires the corporate sector to adopt UNDRIP as a reconciliation framework. | |
| Modern Slavery and Child Labour | Scotiabank has policies, procedures, and practices designed to help safeguard against risks of modern slavery in our business and operations. Our Modern Slavery Report addresses the measures taken by the Bank to prevent, identify, assess, and reduce the risk of forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking in our business and in our supply chains. | |
| Worker Wellbeing and Working Conditions | Scotiabank is committed to upholding fundamental labour rights and promoting fair, equitable working conditions across its operations. The Bank’s approach is guided by internal policies and aligned with applicable labour and employment legislation and international standards. These commitments support a respectful and inclusive workplace and help reduce workforce-related risks. | |
| Business Ethics | Scotiabank expects its employees, contingent workers, directors and officers of its direct and indirect subsidiaries around the world, to conduct business activities in accordance with the ethical standards set out in our Scotiabank Code of Conduct (“our Code”) and to comply with applicable laws and regulations wherever the Bank does business. |
Impact stories
YMCA and Scotiabank partnership offers better outcomes for youth facing high school suspension
For high school students who find themselves struggling with school or personal challenges, Back on Track by the YMCA offers more than just a second chance, it intervenes to support youth and help them return to school, stronger.
Indigenous-led grassroots movement draws on traditional practices to stand against gender-based violence
Every 48 hours, one woman or girl is killed in Canada. Indigenous women aged 15 years and older, however, are six times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women.
Pride is for everyone: Rainbow Railroad’s Chair of the Board
“If you believe in basic human rights and freedom, then Pride is for you.”