Federal Mining Bill's Defeat Another Black Eye for Canada

OTTAWA, Oct. 27 /CNW/ - Parliament's defeat Wednesday of a private member's bill to improve corporate accountability by Canadian mining companies operating in developing countries is a huge backward step for human rights and for Canada on the international scene, says Ken Neumann, National Director for Canada of the United Steelworkers.

Bill C-300, known as the Responsible Mining Bill, was a private member's bill from Liberal MP John McKay. The bill featured modest accountability measures for corporations engaged in mining, oil or gas activities and receiving support from the Government of Canada. Corporations would be held accountable if they failed to act in a manner consistent with international best practices and human rights standards.

"The Steelworkers union has always been known as Canada's mining union," said Neumann, who is also president of the union's international non-governmental organization, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund.

"Through our long-term international connections, we have witnessed the negligence and abuse that some Canadian mining companies use to exploit workers, communities and degrade the environment in developing countries," he said.

"Just as we insist that companies in Canada respect environmental, labour and human rights, we think companies must operate in other countries with formal checks and balances. Bill C-300 would have accomplished that in a modest way."

Under the bill, companies found not to be in compliance with international standards would not receive financing and insurance through the Export Development Corporation or support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

The absence of many Liberal members from the House during Wednesday's vote made the difference between accountability and exploitation, Neumann said.

"The Liberal Party, and especially Michael Ignatieff, displayed an astonishing lack of commitment to one of their own member's efforts to do the right thing with this bill," said Neumann.

"Liberals claim to be a party that honours human rights, but their absence in a vote that would have made a small, but real difference to many thousands of people in the world affected by Canadian mining, oil and gas extraction is shameful."

For further information:

Ken Neumann, USW National Director for Canada, 416-487-1571;
Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-434-2221, 416-544-5966,
[email protected]