We have such a law in Canada already. It's formal name is "
Bill C-45" but it is widely known as the Westray Bill and was commented on in Parliament thus:
"Mr. Speaker, the passage of Bill C-45 represents the final step in the House in making significant reforms to the criminal law as it applies to all organizations. The bill has its origins in the terrible tragedy of the Westray mine explosion. All parties in the House co-operated in ensuring that the bill received high priority."
Paul Macklin,
Liberal MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada on introducing Third Reading of Bill C-45 on October 27, 2003.
From the United Steelworkers web page:
"Westray was a coal mine in Pictou County, Nova Scotia that exploded on May 9, 1992 killing all 26 miners who were working underground at the time.
"The resulting public inquiry delivered a damning report of management greed and government incompetence. In all, Judge Richard made over 80 findings and 74 recommendations. Most notable is recommendation #73:
"The Government of Canada, through the Department of Justice, should institute a study of the accountability of corporate executives and directors for the wrongful or negligent acts of the corporation and should introduce in the Parliament of Canada such amendments to legislation as are necessary to ensure that corporate executives and directors are held properly accountable for workplace safety."
From the Act's Summary page, (link above):
This enactment amends the
Criminal Code to