People gathered outside Hudbay Minerals annual general meeting in Toronto on June 14, 2012 to protest alleged violence against Mayans living near its Guatemalan operation.

People gathered outside Hudbay Minerals annual general meeting in Toronto on June 14, 2012 to protest alleged violence against Mayans living near its Guatemalan operation.
Photo Credit: PC / Nathan Denette/Canadian Press

MP wants stricter oversight of mining companies

Liberal Member of Parliament John McKay is renewing his demand that the government do more to oversee Canadian mining companies operating in other countries, reports Canadian Press (CP). Several Canadian companies have been accused of human rights abuses and violating local laws, even though the industry has made reforms in recent years.

NY Times article raises issue

The New York Times published a front-page story on April 2, 2016 about Canadian mining company Hudbay Minerals which is being sued in Canada for alleged shootings and rapes in Guatemala. Hudbay didn’t own the mining operations when most of the incidents are said to have occurred and says the claims have no merit.

In 2014, several former employees at a Nevsun Mining operation in Eritrea filed suit in the western province of British Columbia alleging forced labour and crimes against humanity, reports CP. The company calls the claims unfounded.

‘A black eye for Canada’

Calling these and other cases a black eye for Canada, McKay says the government needs to do more to oversee mining companies. He has long asked that there be an ombudsman named to investigate claims against Canadian companies with the power to impose sanctions.

The former government did name a mediator when it developed a corporate social responsibility strategy in 2009, but participation was voluntary.

Government ‘open to new ideas but…’

CP asked the Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr if Canada needs an ombudsman with “investigative power and real teeth” and he replied that the government is always open to new ideas but the main point was that he expected companies to obey the rule of law wherever they do business.

(from Canadian Press)

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