The article about this office (“Canada’s new CSR Counsellor not feeling the love,” T.N.M., Nov. 28-Dec.4/11) misrepresents our review process in many material aspects. I can only imagine that Excellon Resources’ CEO was misinterpreted in his statements, as this office never would have entered into any conversations that relate to host country laws or regulations.
Our mandate is strictly related to the voluntary standards that are contained in the Canadian government’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy for the International Extractive Sector.
In the Excellon case, as we stated in our Closing Report, the standards at issue were the company’s consistency with good practice guidelines contained in the Voluntary Standards on Security and Human Rights, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Guidelines.
This office’s process is simply designed to offer a constructive avenue for resolving conflicts about the CSR Strategy’s guidelines, between parties who believe dialogue is an avenue that should be attempted.
Marketa Evans, Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Toronto, ON
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