KAIROS wants stronger checks on Canadian mining companies operating abroad

By DEBORAH GYAPONG
Canadian Catholic News
Ottawa

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives is among several groups criticizing the federal government's failure to take stronger measures to prevent Canadian mining companies from environmental or human rights abuses in developing countries.

Instead of sanctions, Canada is considering joining the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries in adhering to the Voluntary Principles on Human Rights and Security these countries have developed.

Not enough

That's not enough, according the KAIROS and the other groups.

"Voluntary codes of conduct don't work," said Ian Thomson of KAIROS in a joint news release Oct. 18. "It's time the government passed legislation that holds Canadian mining companies accountable for the environmental and human rights violations they commit in other countries."

KAIROS and groups such as the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC) and Friends of the Earth Canada were reacting to a report from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) entitled Mining in Developing Countries-Corporate Social Responsibility.

The report outlined the federal government's response to recommendations made by the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (SCFAIT).

Among the recommendations, SCFAIT advised making any government support for mining activities contingent on meeting "clearly defined corporate social responsibility and human rights standards."

The federal government agreed to help Canadian mining companies have "the necessary knowledge, support and incentives to achieve positive financial, social and environmental results." But it declined taking a tougher stand because DFAIT said no international consensus has developed on how to define or measure corporate social responsibility.

"The Canadian government has missed an opportunity to establish itself as a global leader," said Karyn Keenan, mining campaigner at Friends of the Earth Canada. "It took the easy way out, with more talk and no action."

According to DFAIT statistics, almost 60 per cent of the world's mining and exploration companies are listed in Canada, accounting for over 40 per cent of the overall investment in mining-related activities worldwide. That translates into 3,200 "mineral properties" in more than 100 countries and accounts for $50 billion in investments.

Startling allegations

KAIROS and the other groups say that allegations against some of these companies include "forced re-settlement, contamination of lands and waters, support for repressive regimes, violations of workers' and indigenous rights, assaults and even killings by security forces."

KAIROS and the other groups pointed out the government does acknowledge that mining can have a devastating impact, but it is not holding mining companies to account by making government support conditional on compliance to human rights and environmental standards.

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