The Canadian government is being taken to task concerning its support of several Canadian mining companies operating abroad, which are allegedly abusing international human rights law and endangering the political, social and physical environments of the areas in which they are operating. Government representatives met with people from the affected communities and with human rights advocates in April, who are calling on the government to monitor and correct the behaviour of Canadian companies working abroad.
“We think it's really important the government take our proposals and voices into account,” said Ana Maria Alvarado Garcia, speaking through a translator. “There is a globalization of resource extraction, and that's affecting communities around the world. The government needs to understand where we're coming from.”
Alvarado Garcia, who is a member of Mexico's Broad Opposition Front, has been protesting a mine in her hometown of Cerro de San Pedro for 10 years. In June 2005, the Record reported that the town had been spared potential damage from the open-pit gold and silver mine that was set to operate by Canadian-owned Metallica Resources. Locals said the mine would destroy its surrounding ecosystem, contaminate the water supply and flatten the Hill of St. Peter, a state symbol. In April, a federal court upheld an earlier decision to name the town a preservation area, annulling the company's mining permit. Despite this, the mining preparation continues.
“We want the government to wake up and pay attention to what a Canadian company is doing,” said Alvarado Garcia, adding that the Mexican government is also to blame for not enforcing its own laws. “It's not just about human rights and environmental standards, but about conflict in society. It's creating political and social conflict as well.”
The forum in Ottawa was precipitated by a report from the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The report acknowledges that some mining companies are having adverse affects on communities and calls for the government to ensure compliance with international guidelines, and to “establish clear legal norms in Canada to ensure that Canadian companies and residents are held accountable.” Companies that do not adhere to such policies should lose government financing.
Parliament heard SCFAIT's recommendations last June, but according to Rachel Warden, program coordinator for Latin America partnerships at KAIROS, the government is maintaining the status quo. It instead agreed to hold round table discussions sometime in the near future with the affected parties. Warden said such people want to be involved in the decision-making process as to where mines will operate, and want a legal framework to control behaviour, since current standards are voluntary.
Metallica told the Record in the past that it has done what it can to ensure the town and its citizens are protected from adverse consequences, including transplanting 120,000 cactus plants classified as valued vegetation.
“What we're asking for is respect,” said Alvarado Garcia. “We're not enemies of progress, but we don't want the planet to be affected anymore. This will affect all of humanity, not just my community.”
KAIROS is supported by the Presbyterian Church and has been helping affected communities in their plight.
