Guatemala Strategic Action Alert
Canadians: Ask government to adopt recommendations of Standing Committee and take immediate action to address ongoing conflicts related to Canadian mining abroad
2 Aug 2005
We express our sincere thanks to Friends of the Earth Canada and Miningwatch Canada for having prepared this action. We have adapted it slightly.
It is over a year since the SJC began its support of Guatemalan organizations opposed to the development of the Marlin gold and silver mine in the department of San Marcos. This open-pit mine is a project of Montana, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canada's Glamis Gold company. The main reasons for the opposition are the lack of meaningful consultation of the people who will be affected by the mine and the fear of the impact the mine is likely to have on the natural environment and the people living in its vicinity.
The SJC and other like-minded organizations have been terribly frustrated by the strong and active support that the Canadian embassy in Guatemala has given to this and other Canadian-owned mines in the country. In addition, the Canadian representative at the World Bank voted in favor of a $45 million loan to Glamis for the mine after the World Bank had been informed by the local aboriginal communities about their concerns regarding the mining project.
Now there is reason to hope that the Canadian government will change its position.
In late June, the Parliament's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade adopted a report stating that it was "concerned that Canada does not yet have laws to ensure that the activities of Canadian mining companies in developing countries conform to human rights standards, including the rights of workers and of indigenous peoples."
The report argues that "more must be done to ensure that Canadian companies. conduct their activities in a socially and environmentally responsible manner and in conformity with international human rights standards." Among other things, the report urges the Government of Canada to:
* condition Canadian support "on companies meeting clearly defined corporate social responsibility and human rights standards."
* "establish clear legal norms in Canada to ensure that Canadian companies and residents are held accountable when there is evidence of environmental and/or human rights violations associated with the activities of Canadian mining companies."
* "work with like-minded countries to integrate and mainstream international human rights standards in the work of international financial institutions (IFIs) such as the World Bank."
For a complete copy of the report (it is quite short) see:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/committee/CommitteePublication.aspx?COM=8979&Lang=1&SourceId=122762
The Standing Committee has requested "a comprehensive government response to this Report" and the Government, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, is currently deciding how to proceed. In the past, the Government has consistently rejected calls for concrete action to deal with the many problems associated with the activities of Canadian mining companies abroad. The Government has also failed to call on the World Bank to make a clear commitment to abide by international human rights standards. If adopted in full, the report's recommendations would have a lasting effect on Government policy towards Canadian corporations overseas, the World Bank and other international financial institutions.
However, the Government has about 60 days left to respond to this report and it would like nothing more than to sweep the report under the carpet. Action is needed to pressure the Government to adopt Parliament's recommendations and to immediately address ongoing international scandals associated with the Canadian mining industry.
Actions Requested:
1. Tell our government leaders what you think. Write and call the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Industry, and the Minister of Natural Resources Canada (We have given you their addresses, fax and phone numbers and e-mail coordinates. However, it would be preferable if you could send your message by regular mail. We believe it to be more effective). Tell them that you want the Government to adopt the Committee's recommendations and take immediate action to address ongoing conflicts related to Canadian mining abroad.
2. Tell your Member of Parliament what you think. Contact your Member of Parliament (MP) and tell him/her that you support the report adopted by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. As parliament is not sitting it would be preferable that you contact him/her at the local riding office. Ask your MP to explain what he/she is doing - and will do - to ensure that the Government adopts the recommendations.
3. Make a donation to the Social Justice Committee so that we can continue our work for human rights and global justice.
ADDRESSES
The Honourable Pierre Pettigrew
Minister of Foreign Affairs Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0G2
Tel: (613) 995-1851 Fax: (613) 996-3443
Eml: pierre-pettigrew@dfait-maeci.gc.ca or Pettigrew.p@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street, 21st Floor, Rm: C7-1
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0E4
Tel: (613) 996-2007 Fax: (613) 996-4516
Eml: john.efford@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca or efford.j@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable David L Emerson, Minister, Industry Canada
235 Queen Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0H5
Tel: (613) 995-9001 Fax: (613) 992-0302
minister.industry@ic.gc.ca or emerson.d@parl.gc.ca
Social Justice Committee,
1857 de Maisonneuve W., Montreal, QC, H3H 1J9
Tel: (514) 933-6797
e-mail: info@sjc-cjs.org Web site: www.s-j-c.net