Two new Canadian initiatives aim to address the contribution of Canadian extractive companies to environmental and human rights abuses abroad, a problem many believe is sullying Canada’s international reputation. The efforts follow a lengthy government-sponsored process in which representatives from the mining sector, human rights organizations and environmental groups presented a report and recommendations to the government. (See “New standards urged for Canadian firms abroad”—EcoAméricas, April ’07.) Authorities largely ignored those recommendations, but they are now addressing the international corporate-responsibility issue by way of legislation and also by executive-branch action. The legislation, the Corporate Accountability of Mining, Oil and Gas Corporations in Developing Countries Act, or Bill C-300, is being considered by the Canadian Parliament. It seeks to address a... [Log in to read more]