A report on a good conduct framework for Canadian mining, oil and gas companies operating abroad could turn Canada into a world leader on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The report is a result of a 10-month, nationwide, government-led roundtable process that included representatives from civil society organizations, industry, academia, labour and socially responsible investors acting as an advisory group, as well as representatives from communities affected by Canadian mining, oil and gas operations in the developing world.
Gerry Barr, president and CEO of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, urged the government to act on the recommendations.
“There have been growing concerns about the environmental, social and human rights impact of Canadian extractive companies operating in the developing world,” he said. “The advisory group has worked together to develop an effective framework for addressing these issues, achieving an important consensus from industry and civil society representatives.”
If implemented, the CSR framework would establish standards and reporting obligations for Canadian companies. It would also create an ombudsman’s office to investigate and assess complaints, and to evaluate compliance with the standards. The report lays out procedures for withholding government services to companies in cases of serious non-compliance, while also supporting the development of tools to promote good practices in the extractive sector and adherence to the CSR framework.
For more on the report, please visit the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada website at pdac.ca.
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