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When Canadian companies work overseas, do Canadian values follow?
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Most Canadians are aware that extractive industries, including mining, oil, and gas, can have negative impacts on the environment, community development, indigenous peoples and workers’ rights. Not everyone realizes that when Canadian corporations go abroad, there are no accountability mechanisms in Canada to ensure that they abide by international human rights and environmental standards. Many companies cut corners to lower their costs and increase short-term profits, operating in ways that would be illegal or unacceptable at home.
You can speak out in support of legally binding regulations for Canadian corporations working overseas. This fall, take part in government roundtables on Canadian mining and oil and gas companies overseas! In 2006 the federal government is hosting four National Roundtables on “Corporate Social Responsibility and the Canadian Extractive Sector in Developing Countries.” KAIROS is encouraging network and civil society members to attend or write to the public sessions of the next three Roundtables:
- Toronto (September 12-14)
- Calgary (October 10-12)
- Montreal (November 14-16)
The first Roundtable, held in Vancouver in June, was well attended by church, human rights and labour organizations who called for an end to voluntary corporate responsibility measures. Their message was clear: it’s time for the Canadian government to adopt mandatory standards and adequate enforcement mechanisms.
There are many ways you can get involved, including:
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Sending a written submission to the Government calling for mandatory human rights and environmental standards for Canadian extractive companies operating overseas, and credible enforcement mechanisms to hold them accountable. Written submissions can be sent to Christine Climenhage, Foreign Affairs Canada, Christine.climenhage , with copies to Andrea Botto, of the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA), cnca , and Ian Thomson at KAIROS ithomson or 1 877 403 8933 x229.
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Making a presentation (5-7 minutes long) at the public sessions of the Roundtables. Encourage members of your congregation to attend the roundtable and ask questions. Presenters should sign up in advance via the government website: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/cip-pic/current_discussions/csr-roundtables-en.asp
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Joining a local organizing committee that is preparing for the Roundtables in Toronto, Calgary and Montreal. There are many ways you and your church can get involved: outreach to civil society partners and allies, media work, organizing public education events, etc.
Want more information on the exact demands of the civil society and faith groups regarding corporate social responsibility? See http://www.halifaxinitiative.org/index.php/CNCA_What
Watch for new campaign materials from KAIROS on water, resource extraction and accountability, due out this fall. And check out the new DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE campaign on mining: www.devp.org
For details about how to get involved in local organizing, contact Ian Thomson, Program Coordinator-Corporate Social Responsibility, 1 877 403 8933 x229, E-mail: ithomson .
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