EDC and ECAs

ECA-Watch letter to the Export Credit Group (ECG) of the OECD regarding civil society consultation

This letter responds to an invitation from the ECG to participate in a November 2008 consultation. In 2007, ECA-Watch informed the ECG that it would not participate in future consultations unless they included meaningful, substantive discussion. Since then, the ECG has not signaled a shift in its approach to consultation. ECA-Watch members respectfully decline the invitation.

Response from EDC on Tenke project - June 5, 2008

EDC thanks us for raising concerns around the project, and indicates that should they choose to support it, it would only be if they were fully compliant with their policies.

Letter to Eric Siegel, President and CEO, Export Development Canada, regarding the Tenke Fungurume concession in the DRC

The Mining Contract Review Commission, an inter-ministerial body established by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to review numerous contracts that were awarded to mining companies between 1996 and 2005, recently released its assessment. The Commission concludes that the mining contract governing the Tenke Fungurume project is illegal and calls for its annulment. EDC is currently considering backing the project. This letter calls on EDC to immediately dismiss the application for support.

Letter to Minister Flaherty re peer review under the OECD Common Approaches - March 28, 2008

This letter urges Minister Flaherty to support the adoption, by the OECD Export Credit Group, of a peer review system regarding implementation of the 2007 OECD Revised Council Recommendation on Common Approaches on the Environment and Officially Supported Export Credits. The letter includes a proposal for a peer review system developed by ECA-Watch.

Second Letter from EDC to HI re. "Dirty Business, Dirty Practices" - November 5, 2007

This letter provides further details on how EDC assesses the level of public consultation in projects, and its broad process for addressing human rights. It responds to a series of questions highlighted in our response to EDC's initial letter on "Dirty Business, Dirty Practices". See correspondence below for details.

Press release - Monday, November 5, 2007

Letter to the OECD - ECA-Watch withdraws from consultations. This letter, press release and statement all express frustration with the consultation process at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and its Export Credit Group (ECG), to engage in substantive exchanges of views on issues raised by ECA-Watch (a watchdog group) over the years. Citing the growing and urgent credibility crisis with the Common Approaches, ECA-Watch announced that until country members are committed to a dialogue process that works, its members, including the Halifax Initiative, have elected to no longer engage in these annual meetings of the ECG with civil society.

Response to EDC - September 17, 2007

This letter responds to concerns identified by Export Development Canada regarding the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability report, "Dirty Business, Dirty Practices: How the Federal Government Supports Canadian Mining, Oil and Gas Companies Abroad". The EDC letter was addressed to the Halifax Initiative.

Letter from EDC to HI re. "Dirty Business, Dirty Practices" - July 16, 2007

This letter argues that "Dirty Business, Dirty Practices" contains two factual innacuracies with respect to EDC's policies and practices in the area of consultations with affected communities and human rights.

Letter to Eric Siegel, President and CEO, EDC - June 8, 2007

This letter, co-signed by Entraide missionnaire, concerns a multi-stakeholder workship hosted by EDC and CIDA on support for Canadian mining operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Letter to EDC President re CSR and the DRC - June 8, 2007

Letter re an EDC workshop on socially responsible mining practices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and potential support for the Tenke Fungurume project in the DRC

Response from EDC - September 10, 2007

This letter responds to concerns about EDC's potential support the Tenek Fungurume mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Letter to OECD Director, Export Credit Group, re Common Approaches - April 20, 2007

This letter from ECA-Watch expresses extreme regret that the ECG has not taken on board more than a small fraction of the comments made by civil society with respect to the revision of the Common Approaches - a policy that guides how ECAs take account of the environment - leading to a final draft that is substantially weakened.

Letter from Minister Goodale - December 21, 2005

This letter is in response to a letter sent on November 1, 2005 regarding the IFC policy and Performance Standards on Soical and Environmental Sustainability.

Letter to Prime Minister Martin, re Mining and Human Rights - October 13, 2005

We are writing to support the development of new legal and policy tools that would help ensure Canadian companies adhere to international human rights and environmental obligations when they operate overseas.

Comments on EDC's Draft Disclosure and Environmental Review Policies - September 16, 2005

The Halifax Initiative Coalition is pleased to submit our comments on the new draft Environmental Review Directive (ERD) and Disclosure Policy. We are particularly pleased at this opportunity, as it was not afforded in 2001 when EDC first adopted its ERD. The early consultation, this comment period and some of the revisions made in the new drafts reflect the positive developments at EDC as it strives to do better business.

Action Alert Archives - Make EDC Transparent! Write Letters!

As Export Development Canada reviews its disclosure policy, we need your help to make the Crown Corporation more transparent!!

Letter to EDC President re compliance mechanism - December 9, 2004

This letter, and attached comments and recommendations, evaluates EDC's Compliance mechanism, drawing on the NGO Working Group on EDC's experience in filing a complaint around EDC's support for Cernavoda2.

Response from EDC re lessons learned - January 13, 2005

This letter thanks HI for the submission of the lessons learned around EDC's Compliance mechanisms and indicates that the recommendations will be included in EDC's review of the position

Letter to EDC Acting President re INCO - October 20, 2004

This letter asks whether EDC is providing financing for INCO's troubled Goro mine in New Caledonia, and offers new evidence about the project including possible asbestos-related problems.

Response from EDC re INCO - January 17, 2005

This response from EDC about whether or not it is supporting INCO's project in New Caledonia highlights the meetings EDC has already had with Kanaky leaders on the impacts of the project, and highlights the fact that EDC cannot discuss particular transactions due to commercial confidentiality, but that if under consideration, a project such as the Goro nickel mine would be subject to environmental review.

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