London Mining Network’s sister organisation in Canada has posted its winter newsletter online at http://www.miningwatch.ca/en/newsletter-categories/newsletters/newsletter-27-winter-2009-2010.
Of particular interest is its coverage of Bill C-300, a private member’s Bill being discussed in the Canadian Parliament. Bill C-300 would put in place standards for Canadian extractive companies operating overseas that receive financial or political support from the Canadian government. The “guidelines that articulate corporate accountability standards” must include the International Finance Corporation Performance Standards, related guidance notes, and Environmental Health and Safety General Guidelines; the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights; “human rights provisions that ensure corporations operate in a manner that is consistent with international human rights standards; and any other standard consistent with international human rights standards.”
Bill C-300 would also create a complaints mechanism that would allow members of affected communities abroad, or Canadians, to file complaints against companies that are not living up to those standards. Complaints would be filed with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. If accepted, the complaint would lead to an investigation of a company’s compliance with the guidelines and a public report on findings within eight months of receipt of the complaint.
A company that is found to be out of compliance with the standards may become ineligible for government support for as long as it is out of compliance with the guidelines. In particular, Bill C-300 refers to political and financial support that is provided to Canadian extractive companies by Export Development Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and the Canada Pension Plan.
See http://www.miningwatch.ca/en/bill-c-300-private-members-bill-promotes-industry-and-government-accountability.