McDonald's Canada has announced the rollback of several diversity initiatives, including retiring specific goals for increasing minority representation in senior leadership and ending supplier diversity programs. The move came amidst a shifting legal and political landscape that includes pressure from conservative political figures and policies aimed at dismantling DEI efforts.

McDonald's Canada announced a renaming of its diversity team to a 'Global Inclusion Team' as part of a broader rollback of DEI practices, a move that has raised concerns about its commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion within its workforce.

An analysis of 2023 contributions revealed that over 80% of McDonald’s corporate political donations were directed to Democratic candidates and campaigns, indicating a support for progressive political causes over far-right options.

McDonald's Canada, responding to Guardian findings of labor exploitation at its Saudi Arabian franchises, reaffirmed its commitment to human rights by outlining its Responsible and Ethical Recruitment Principles. The company emphasized that recruitment fees are not charged to workers and that contracts are provided in clear language to protect migrant workers, aligning with its longstanding supplier and conduct policies.

McDonald's Canada issued a statement addressing allegations from the New York Times that their supplier audits failed to detect child labour in food supply chains. The response outlined measures including the introduction of night shifts during audits, additional training on responsible hiring, and an update to their Supplier Code of Conduct to improve ethical oversight across their supply chain.

Shareholder groups have called for an independent investigation into McDonald’s human rights practices after multiple child labor violations were reported at various franchises. The allegations include hazardous work conditions for minors, with instances such as a 15-year-old receiving grease burns and minors operating deep fryers, prompting demands for stricter labor standards.

McDonald’s led a coordinated lobbying campaign in the European Parliament against proposed legislation aimed at reducing packaging waste. The company, alongside industry allies, engaged in extensive meetings with MEPs, funded studies, and sponsored media content to undermine laws promoting reusable packaging, raising concerns over corporate influence on progressive environmental policies.

McDonald's Canada outlines its corporate public policy engagement strategy on its governance webpage. The page details the company's approach to political contributions and lobbying activities, emphasizing efforts to support community development, minority entrepreneurship, and job creation through transparent engagement with policy makers.

The BBC investigation revealed that between 2015 and 2019, a McDonald’s branch in Cambridgeshire failed to identify clear signs of modern slavery, where victims from the Czech Republic were exploited, worked extreme hours, and had their wages misdirected. The incident raises serious concerns about labor practices and supply chain oversight, prompting calls for stronger safeguards against exploitation.

During a conference call in April 2014, McDonald's Canada CEO John Betts dismissed federal and media criticisms of the company's use of temporary foreign workers by calling the allegations 'bullshit'. His remarks, which also included comments aimed at pre-empting government actions and protecting brand image, coincided with a federal moratorium on the sector's access to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and an independent audit of the program.

Foreign workers recruited from Belize have accused McDonald's Canada of coercive labor practices, including mandatory overpriced housing with excessive rent deductions, lack of promised overtime, and conditions likened to modern-day slavery. The workers allege that they were forced to live in company-arranged accommodations at rates far exceeding market prices, with significant portions of their wages deducted for rent, leaving them with insufficient income to support themselves.