2.11.10

My View on Bill C-300

I, and everyone in the Liberal Party, agreed completely with the intentions behind Bill C-300, An Act respecting Corporate Accountability for the Activities of Mining, Oil and Gas in Developing Countries. ALL members of the Liberal Party are 100% behind improving the Corporate Social Responsibility of Canadian mining companies in developing countries (CSR). Indeed, I commend my colleague John McKay from Scarborough – Guildwood for remaining so concerned about this issue while the Conservative Government has done so little.
However, intentions aren’t always enough, and I had serious concerns about Bill C-300. Despite considerable pressure to do so, I refused to vote for something I felt was very flawed. I was therefore not in the House of Commons for the vote this past Wednesday. I was one of 13 Liberals, 4 NDP and 6 Bloc Quebecois who were not there. (Interestingly, that’s pretty much the same proportion from each of the three opposition parties.)

Ironically, I did not support C-300 specifically because of the fact that I, too, am very concerned about CSR of Canadian mining companies operating in developing countries. There’s no question that Bill C-300 sounded very good on its face, but that’s not enough. It was flawed—something John McKay, its proponent, himself admitted. Due to the limitations on Private Member’s Bills, it could not include some fundamental pieces that would have made it function in an acceptable way. The proponents said that, although it was flawed, at least it would “go part way”. However, in my view, this particular effort at “going part way” would cause other, unintended damage.

And to address the allegations that the mining companies engaged in major lobbying: I had made my decision long before any mining company came to talk to me. Indeed, I and many of my colleagues were lobbied far harder, for a longer period of time, by supporters of C-300---far harder than the mining industry. My decision had nothing to do with either side’s lobbying efforts.

I did not support it based on the Bill’s own flaws, based on the extensive personal research I did, based on listening to as many stakeholders as I could—and based on my own understanding of the political process, domestic law, international law, international finance and international business (thanks to significant personal background and experience in these areas). I came to the conclusion that its flaws would cause significant negative unintended consequences in the short term—negative consequences for the very people in developing countries that it was intended to help. Not only that, I felt that passing C-300 would, in fact, put truly successful improvements to CSR backwards. In order to really accomplish what we’re all trying to achieve, we need to do this right.

Others disagreed, of course. I have had no shortage of criticism, including a surprising number of unpleasant personal attacks. But I stand by decision. I'm proud to live in a society, and be a part of a political party, that allows people to disagree. It is critical, particularly where the current Conservative government is so controlled, and where debate is so often silenced, that when we are able to debate, we do so with respect and civility—with respect for other people’s opinions.

My biggest upset is that there has been so much division, so much antagonism that has developed among so many people who want the same thing. I hope that we can move forward.

I, and the whole Liberal Party, believe that we will achieve real and truly effective progress on CSR through the implementation of the 2007 Report by the Advisory Group on Corporate Social Responsibility in the Canadian Extractive Industry (Click Here to view the report). This 2007 Report included strong and very positive recommendations for the improving of CSR among Canadian mining companies working in developing countries. Most importantly, it was developed with the participation of ALL stakeholders—NGOs, CSOs, mining companies, governments, and more. It is extremely powerful because of that fact. I’d like to see those recommendations implemented. Unfortunately, the Conservative government did nothing, and sat on the 2007 Report, silent, for two years. A Liberal government would do it right.

* * * * * * * *

Here is some information about the 2006 Round Table process and the resulting 2007 Report:

In 2005 a decision was made, under a Liberal Government, to move forward on the issue of CSR among Canadian mining companies operating in developing countries. Throughout 2006, extensive, all-stakeholder round tables were conducted. These included non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), mining and oil companies, labour, governments and individuals. It was an extraordinary process—and very unusual in the progress achieved with so many different participants.

There were 156 oral presentations and 104 written submissions. Of these, 61 were from civil society, 33 from industry, 15 from labour organizations, 31 from academics and research institutes, and 16 from members of the public without a stated affiliation.

This process was an extraordinary example of all of the stakeholders coming together to address this fundamental issue—and the resulting 2007 Report was roundly approved and supported. It was the product of many people who might have had opposing views but who came together, exhibiting a will to compromise and find constructive consensus.

The 2007 Report set out some very tough recommendations, including strict and clear guidelines on the level of CSR expected of Canadian mining companies operating in developing countries, a robust complaint and review mechanism, the creation of an ombudsperson with tough responsibilities, and significant funding to help developing countries build their own capacity to create and enforce, locally, CSR standards and regulations. Yet the Conservative government did nothing. Nothing for two years. Only recently did they come up with a much watered down plan, but with no teeth.

Liberals are united in strongly supporting implementation of a regime based on the full 2007 Report, as the best way to achieve the highest levels of CSR among Canadian mining companies operating in developing countries— something the Conservative government has failed to do.

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous2.11.10

    Could you please elaborate on the "unintended damage" Bill C-300 might have caused? As a measure that would be limited to restricting EDC and CPPIB funding to those Canadian companies that maintain a high CSR standard, it's not clear what damage might occur. And with the severity of some of the allegations, the abuse of human rights for individuals and whole societies might be the actual damage that will continue as a result of not passing C-300.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Martha Hall Findlay3.11.10

    Dear "Anonymous",

    I appreciate each person having their own opinion, but I feel very strongly about not engaging in 'debate' with people who refuse to identify themselves. The pros and cons of this Bill have been well documented. It is time now to focus on what we can do, collectively, to work toward implementation of a process more akin to the recommendations of the 2007 Advisory Group Report.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I repeat Anonymous' question. Will you answer now? (That was a rather transparent dodge, by the way. Anonymous doesn't have to identify him/herself in order for the question to be worth answering. If you suspect Anonymous' motives, you do have access to IP information and should be able to make a reasonable guess as to his/her affiliations. If you don't suspect his/her motives, then there's no good reason to refuse to answer the question.)

    I seriously doubt the bill is as bad as you say. I don't know, or care, much about the issue as such, but the conduct of Liberal MPs such as yourself is getting very tired.

    In this post, for example, you say repeatedly that the bill is flawed. But, you give no detail on the flaws of the bill. It's quite striking, really, that the only basis you present here for a reader to believe the bill is bad is pure argumentum pro homine. This is one of the weakest forms of argument one can give -- "hey, trust me!" -- and can usually be given in a few words. But you go on for paragraphs! (Your reply to Anonymous isn't any better; you refer to the pros and cons being "well-documented", but don't actually provide this documentation -- not a link, not a reference.)

    You also didn't stay in the House and vote against the bill. This is very odd behaviour. Previously, Liberal MPs have avoided the House in order to keep from having to explicitly vote to support the Harper government. But this was a private member's bill -- nowhere near being a matter of confidence. So, if the bill was really bad, why not stand in the House and vote against it? It's hard to shake the impression that somebody got to you. If not a lobbyist, then possibly someone in the Party. Why not vote against a bill that is, as you claim to believe, flawed?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Perhaps is someone else asks for a clearer explanation of the faults in the private members bill that meant that implementing it would have left the world worse off than letting if fail by not showing up. Your blog makes a principled stand but explains nothing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ken Purdye15.11.10

    I support "ADHR"'s contribution. If the only reason you won't reply to anonymous is that he/she is anonymous, then I repeat his/her request. I am one of your constituents and I am not anonymous.

    ReplyDelete