MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
November 22, 2010

Canadian Civil Society Demands Canadian Mining Companies Be Held Accountable for Overseas Abuses

36 civil society organizations have signed a letter condemning the Canadian government’s failure to pass Bill C-300, which would have held Canadian mining companies accountable for overseas violations of human rights and environmental standards.

Bill C-300, the Corporate Accountability of Mining, Oil or Gas in Developing Countries Act, was tabled by Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) John McKay in February 2009. On October 27, 2010, the bill was narrowly defeated in the House of Commons by a vote of 140-134. If the bill had passed, it would have ensured the withdrawal of public funds and political support for Canadian companies that violated human rights and environmental standards.

75% of the world’s exploration and mining companies have their headquarters in Canada. A report commissioned by Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada also pointed to Canadian companies as some of the worst offenders.

At the end of November, a team of Canadian delegates from the Council of Canadians, Polaris Institute and Public Service Alliance Canada will hand deliver the letter to a community in San Luis Potosi, Mexico who have been affected by the actions of the Canadian mining company New Gold.

The letter has been sent to affected communities through organizations working with them as well as to Canadian MPs.

The letter, addressed to “communities affected by Canadian mining operations,” highlights Canada’s repeated failures “to join other countries in advancing international human rights and environmental norms.” Civil society organizations committed to “renewing [their] work at legislative reform” in order to bring justice to affected communities abroad.

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For a copy of the letter in English, French or Spanish, or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Dylan Penner, Media Officer, Council of Canadians, 613-795-8685, dpenner@canadians.org