Bill C300 - Should the Government Step In when Companies Behave Badly?

John MacKay's private member's bill C300 has passed 2nd reading and even if it doesn't pass as law at least it is shining the light on some bad Canadian apples in the world of international business operations. Private member's bill C300, if passed, would enable the government to withhold taxpayer investment in any mining company who's business practices in other countries is found to be immoral or unethical.

Under C-300, people can take complaints about Canadian resource companies directly to the federal government, regardless of what foreign country they are working in. If the complaint is accepted, an investigation would begin that would need to be completed within eight months. If the company is found to be guilty of environmental or human rights abuses, it would be ineligible for financing from Export Development Canada (EDC) or the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP), neither of which appears to be thrilled with the legislation.

On CBC Radio Mr. MacKay debated with John Baird, president of PDAC, whom is against bill C300. Mr. Baird negated the issue by using statistics saying there are only 17 complaints and at one point brought it down to 6/year for Canadian Mining Companies. He headed off any attempt by the reporter, Anna Marie Tremonti, to talk about specific complaints which would show that these are serious issues and they sometimes support appalling acts .

Primary school teacher Dante Valdez was attacked on 13 August by a group of about 30 people who burst into a local school in Madera, Chihuahua state. The attackers, most of whom work for a local mine, pushed and kicked him, and told him to stay out of their business.

Community leader Eligio Rebolledo Salinas (m) has been shot by unidentified gunmen. Three of his male relatives were later arrested without a warrant. They had all been campaigning for a fair deal with a mining company operating on their lands.

A prominent human rights defender has been detained as prisoner of conscience since 24 July in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His organization had recently published a report alleging state complicity in illegal mining at a uranium mine, and he is facing politically motivated charges.

On 27 April 2009 police officials burned down 50 houses within the Porgera mining area, owned and operated by Canadian-based Barrick Gold Corporation.

On 4 September at approximately 7:30 am Yuri Melini[Director of the Centre for Environmental, Social and Legal Action] left his car and walked towards a house of a relative. A man standing near to him called his name and when he caught his attention fired at him four times. One bullet missed but three other hit him in the stomach, right knee and left leg.

CALAS [Centre for Environmental, Social and Legal Action] has recently been involved in a number of high profile environmental issues, including legally challenging the law that permits opencast mining for gold and other metals, campaigning against contamination of water sources and occupation of land in nature reserves. The attack against Yuri Melini is believed to be linked to his role in CALAS and the work of the organization.

Usually I'd question what validity of reports and wonder if there was any real connection to the companies involved, however, Mr. Baird's dismissive attitude boiled my blood. I may have heard wrong but, as I understood it, he said it's only 6 complaints a year and in comparison to the good we do in the 3rd world they are moot.

Moot or not, 6 complaints a year is unacceptable when these complaints involve unethical and immoral practices that effect the lives of those too poor to have a voice. I am getting very sick of CEOs sitting in their ivory towers and looking at only the numbers and rationalizing their decisions with a "that's the cost of doing business" attitude. I do not consider myself to be on the liberal or socialist side of politics or business but I do believe in fair, ethical, and moral conduct.

The above incidents are examples of a global issue that is fueled by greed and profits. The above incidents may or may not have anything to do with Canadian companies but any company that doesn't utilize their clout to help improve the situation is only condoning it. I realize that the political situations in these areas make it very difficult and dangerous for companies to operate. I know that this is not a perfect world and there are grey areas, but there are lines that should never be crossed by a Canadian company.

If the recent economic and business environment has proven anything it is that industries are unable to regulate themselves. They cannot be trusted to ensure that their members are ethical or moral due to greed and personal attitudes. The SROs are not independent nor are they bipartisan. Big Brother has a place in society and that is to ensure that everyone plays nice, even the white collar criminals.

Viewpoint of another blogger who listened and wrote about the CBC Radio debate between John MacKay and John Baird on Bill C300

To listen to the CBC Radio's The Current Debate between John MacKay and John Baird