2006 National Roundtables
Background | Roundtable Process | When and Where | How to Participate | Monthly Updates
Background
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (SCFAIT) tabled, in June 2005, a landmark report on Mining in Developing Countries and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The report recommends that the Canadian Government move away from its current voluntary approach to CSR. It calls for policies that condition public assistance for Canadian companies on compliance with international human rights and environmental standards, including core labour rights. The report also identifies the need for legislation that holds companies accountable for their actions overseas.
The Government failed to adopt the majority of SCFAIT's recommendations, but it did commit to hosting a series of national roundtables. These Roundtables are to identify ways for Canadian extractive companies to meet or exceed international CSR standards and best practices.
Key Documents:
The SCFAIT (14th) report on Mining in Developing Countries and Corporate Social Responsibility. (June 2005).
The 2005 Government's Response to the SCFAIT report (October 2005).
Moving Beyond Voluntarism - A Civil Society Analysis of the Government Response to SCFAIT 14th report. (November 2005).
Moving Beyond Voluntarism - Briefing note.
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Roundtable Process
The roundtables will be held in four cities across Canada. Each roundtable will take place over three days. There will be public forums for interested individuals to discuss the five roundtable themes. The process is guided by a Discussion Paper available on the Government website.
The Government will call on expert witnesses from a variety of sectors including industry, civil society, Aboriginal peoples and academia to speak to the five pre-determined themes.
Themes:
- Corporate social responsibility standards and best practices;
- Positive and negative incentives;
- Verification/assurance and dispute resolution;
- Host country governance and capacity building; and
- Support for industry implementation of standards and best practices.
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When and Where
Venues | Dates | Issue Specific |
| Vancouver | June14-15, 2006 | CSR Standards and Best Practices |
| Toronto | September 12-14, 2006 | Incentives and Instruments |
| Calgary | October 10-12, 2006 | Incentives and Instruments |
| Montreal | November 14-16, 2006 | Host Country Governance & Assistance to Companies |
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How to Participate
At the public session:
- Make a presentation to the Government Steering Committee and the Advisory Group. Advance registration is required. On line registration is now available. To find out more go to the Government website: www.CSRExtractiveSectorRoundtables.ca or contact Sabrina Ramzi at Sabrina.ramzi@international.gc.ca.
- Attend the public session.
Throughout the process:
- Speak Out: Send your written submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Or submit your comments online. Watch the Government website for more information.
- Get Political: Talk to your MPs. Urge them to condition public support on compliance with international human rights and environmental standards and to enact legislation regulating practices of Canadian firms abroad. Information on how to get a meeting with your MP is available at the Make Poverty History website: www.makepovertyhistory.ca.
- Screen It: Get a copy of one of the many documentaries on the detrimental impact of extractive industries and hold a screening. You can download "The Curse of Copper" from http://www.ascendantalert.ca; purchase a copy of "Sipakapa is not for Sale" from info@rightsaction.org; or contact Mining Watch Canada for more information.
- Spread the Word: Write a letter to your local newspaper or community magazine and explain why you are attending the roundtable and what you want the Canadian Government to do.
- Stick With It: Give our stickers to everyone you know and plaster them in places where they'll get noticed. To order stickers contact cnca(at)halifaxinitiative.org.
- Tell the World: Organize discussion groups in your community. Share information about Canadian extractive industries overseas and why the government has failed to take action.
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Every month, the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (Civil Society Focal Point) produces a brief report on key developments in the National Roundtable process.
