Presentation regarding Bill C-300 - An Act respecting Corporate Accountability for the Activities of Mining, Oil or Gas in Developing Countries

Karyn Keenan, Program Officer, Halifax Initiative
October 22, 2009

The Halifax Initiative is a coalition of human rights, environmental, faith-based, development and labour organizations. Our objective is to transform public international financial institutions to achieve poverty eradication, environmental sustainability and the full realization of universal human rights.

My work focuses on the operations of public institutions that provide support to the private sector, in particular the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group and Export Development Canada. The latter, a Crown corporation, is Canada’s export credit agency and will be the focus of my comments this morning.

The Halifax Initiative is a coalition of human rights, environmental, faith-based, development and labour organizations. Our objective is to transform the international financial institutions to achieve poverty eradication, environmental sustainability and the full realization of universal human rights.

The Halifax Initiative supports the review of Export Development Canada’s Environmental Policy and disclosure practices, and is grateful for the opportunity to provide input to the review process.

1. Project environmental and social standards
a. Compliance

http://www.wcr.ab.ca/news/2007/0409/mining040907.shtml

Catholics call mining companies to a roundtable
Environment, human rights targeted by groups
Catholic organizations working to ensure Canadian mining companies operating overseas respect the environment and human rights can celebrate a small victory.

Social responsibility

On March 29, the National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility advisory group released a ground-breaking report endorsed by industry and civil society representatives that could make Canada a leader in this area if its recommendations are adopted.

Curb mining abuses, say church leaders - Coalition urges binding legislation on human rights, environment

Art Babych, Anglican Journal - http://www.anglicanjournal.com/100/article/curb-mining-abuses-say-church...

May 30, 2007

Canada's reputation as a human rights leader is being damaged by environmental and human rights abuses of Canadian mining companies overseas, say church leaders and activists from the Philippines and South Africa.

"The Canadian government must enact binding legislation to ensure that Canadian mining companies adhere to internationally accepted human rights standards," said Bishop Sue Moxley, suffragan (assistant) bishop of the diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Curb mining abuses, say church leaders - Coalition urges binding legislation on human rights, environment

Art Babych, Anglican Journal - http://www.anglicanjournal.com/100/article/curb-mining-abuses-say-church...

May 30, 2007

Canada's reputation as a human rights leader is being damaged by environmental and human rights abuses of Canadian mining companies overseas, say church leaders and activists from the Philippines and South Africa.

"The Canadian government must enact binding legislation to ensure that Canadian mining companies adhere to internationally accepted human rights standards," said Bishop Sue Moxley, suffragan (assistant) bishop of the diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Report targets secrecy in foreign mine, oil operations

Canada should revamp everything from its pension plans to its securities regulations, says a groundbreaking joint report by Canadian industry leaders in the mining and oil sectors and environmental and human rights advocates.

The proposed changes aim to force more disclosure from companies and large investors on how they deal with environmental and rights issues.

The report also aims to bring further transparency to corporate governance issues, such as executive compensation and accounting practices.

The changes would position Canada as a world leader in the field of socially responsible investment, the report says.

Canadian mining firms agree to clean up global act

Activists block the entrance to the Canadian embassy in Mexico City last month to protest against a mining project planned by Minera San Javier, a subsidiary of Canadian company Metallica Resources Inc. It wants to extract gold and silver in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, which protesters claim will damage the environment. The sign reads: Canada: Don't Pollute Mexico.

OTTAWA - In a move that could revolutionize global mining, Canadian mining representatives have struck an unprecedented accord with environmentalists and human-rights advocates on ways to ensure mining and oil companies act ethically in their overseas operations.

Canadian mining firms agree to clean up global act

Activists block the entrance to the Canadian embassy in Mexico City last month to protest against a mining project planned by Minera San Javier, a subsidiary of Canadian company Metallica Resources Inc. It wants to extract gold and silver in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, which protesters claim will damage the environment. The sign reads: Canada: Don't Pollute Mexico.

OTTAWA - In a move that could revolutionize global mining, Canadian mining representatives have struck an unprecedented accord with environmentalists and human-rights advocates on ways to ensure mining and oil companies act ethically in their overseas operations.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/business/story.html?id=05cd5ae9-deb2-473b-91a8-e1ddea06cb47&k=32338

Canadian accord sets ethical mining norms

In a move that could revolutionize global mining, Canadian mining representatives have struck an unprecedented accord with environmentalists and human-rights advocates on ways to ensure mining and oil companies act ethically in their overseas operations.

The pact would create the world's first independent mining ombudsman and sketches out environmental and social standards for projects in the developing world, where standards are often lax or poorly enforced.

It also calls on government to withdraw services, such as diplomatic support and tax breaks, if companies fail to uphold those standards.