Canadian Mining and Human Rights

[bcholmes]

The Canadian mining company entangled in a murder investigation of a local activist has had its mine shut down by Mexican authorities because of environmental violations.

The Ministry of the Environment for the state of Chiapas has temporarily closed a barite mine owned by Calgary-based Blackfire Exploration Ltd., citing several infractions, including pollution and causing toxic emissions, a government spokeswoman said yesterday.

Three men linked to Blackfire, including a current employee, were recently arrested in the Nov. 27 slaying of activist Mariano Abarca Roblero, who had publicly protested against the mining operation located in Chicomuselo, Chiapas. Ministry spokeswoman Carolina Ochoa denied the mine closing had anything to do with the killing.

From what I understand, Canadian mining companies are pretty problematic corporations mostly because Canadian mining law is so lax.

The most interesting part of the article is the part about Bill C-300 ("An Act respecting Corporate Accountability for the Activities of Mining, Oil or Gas in Developing Countries"). Did you know we had an corporate accountability bill before the house? (Admittedly, as a private member's bill, it has a snowball's chance in hell of passing.

Peter Julian, an NDP MP who has put forth his own bill that would allow people who have been harmed by Canadian corporations operating in other countries to seek redress in a Canadian court, says Mr. McKay's bill does not go far enough.

"The actions of a Canadian company, good or bad, have an impact on Canada as a whole," said Mr. Julian, whose proposed legislation is unlikely to get as far as Mr. McKay's.

"There is no doubt that there are a number of Canadian companies that have been irresponsible," he said. "That, unfortunately, gives a black eye to the whole industry and does have an impact on Canada."

The government needs a means of address for these kinds of issues to ensure that Canadian companies are always acting in a socially end environmentally responsible manner, Mr. Julian said.

— "Mexican authorities shut down Blackfire mine"

I'm guessing that Peter Julian's bill is C-352. It looks like Peter Julian has a lot of private member's bills. I like the one about creating Leif Erickson Day, and the anti-sweatshop labour bill.