CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: MAC says progress is being made

OTTAWA - The latest report from the Mining Association of Canada points toward the steady progress on corporate social responsibility made by Canadian mining, oil and gas companies in developing countries.

The report was commissioned by MAC's International Social Responsibility Committee as a follow-up to the 2007 advisory group to the federal government. MAC personnel participated along with representatives of industry, investors, human rights, academics and government.

Of the 27 recommendations arising from the 2007 talks, the new report indicates that 18 of them have been fully or partially implemented. Notable areas of progress are:

• The Government of Canada has become a participant country in the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and has joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
• The Canadian International Development Agency has supported a number of new initiatives to help build capacity in host countries, including support for the Andean Regional Initiative for Promoting Effective Corporate Social Responsibility.
• The Export Development Corporation became a signatory of the Equator Principles and applies the IFC Performance Standards and World Bank environmental, health and safety guidelines in its lending practices.
• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has established anti-corruption units in Ottawa and Calgary and launched investigations and prosecutions under Canada's Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act.

This new report is the first piece of research commissioned by MAC's International Social Responsibility Committee. Over the coming year, the committee will making available further research related to the Canadian extractive industry operating abroad. Two such projects include an analysis of the relevant international laws, standards and host country laws and regulations that affect Canadian companies; and a look at the various transparency initiatives and requirements that apply to the Canadian mining sector operating in developing countries.

The full report is available at http://tinyurl.com/83xqn9f