Help Victims of Canadian Mining Operations Find Justice

by: Inter Pares

recipient: Members of Parliament

If the approval of a mine meant you would be kicked off your land, would you expect a chance to say no this project? If it went ahead, would you expect to be compensated? And if your drinking water were poisoned or water sources dried up – would you expect someone to fix the problem?



This is the situation many Ghanaian cocoa farmers in the Sefwi region are facing. For nearly a decade, they have been struggling to obtain compensation from a Toronto-based mining company for the loss of their land and livelihoods. With no land to farm, no money to buy land, shortage of clean water, and frequent floods caused by construction done by the nearby mine, they are in desperate need of justice.



Canada dominates the world's mining industry, with active projects in over 100 countries. The budgets of these companies are often bigger than the budgets of the countries in which they mine. Yet there are virtually no regulations in Canada to prevent unscrupulous companies from taking advantage of weak environmental and labour laws, lax oversight of health and safety regulations, or lack of protection for human rights and the rights of indigenous peoples.



It's time for Canada to be open for justice. Tell your Member of Parliament to pass legislation allowing Canadian courts to hear cases of overseas wrongdoing by mining companies and establish an independent Ombudsman mechanism to oversee corporate accountability for the extractive sector.

read petition letter ▾



Dear [Member of Parliament],



I am writing to ask you to ensure that people harmed by the overseas operations of Canadian mining, oil and gas companies be able to access justice in Canada. We need an extractive sector Ombudsman and legislated access to Canadian courts.



Canada is home to 60% of the world's mining companies, with active projects in more than 100 countries. But human rights abuses, environmental damage, displacement and violations of basic labour rights are increasingly associated with these projects.



There is no international system that currently governs resource extraction to protect human rights or the environment. In many countries where extractive companies operate, national protections do not exist or are not enforced, multilateral institutions are often weak or inaccessible, and there are barriers to seeking justice in Canada.



Canadian oil, mining and gas companies have to live up to international human rights, labour and environmental standards. As my MP, I would like you to work in Parliament to:



1. Create an independent extractive-sector Ombudsman in Canada, with the power to investigate complaints and make recommendations, including suspending or ending Canadian government support to companies that do not respect international standards. Unlike the current Corporate Social Responsibility Counsellor, the Ombudsman needs to be mandated to make its findings public and perform these functions regardless of a company's willingness to participate; and



2. Provide legislated access to Canadian courts for people who have been seriously harmed by the international operations of Canadian companies. Such legislation would clarify that Canadian courts are appropriate venues in which to hear claims against companies registered in Canada.



[Your comments will go here]



I am calling on you, as my MP, to actively support these measures and to call on all Parliamentarians to support such initiatives.



Sincerely,

[Your name] Subject: We need Canada to be Open for JusticeDear [Member of Parliament],I am writing to ask you to ensure that people harmed by the overseas operations of Canadian mining, oil and gas companies be able to access justice in Canada. We need an extractive sector Ombudsman and legislated access to Canadian courts.Canada is home to 60% of the world's mining companies, with active projects in more than 100 countries. But human rights abuses, environmental damage, displacement and violations of basic labour rights are increasingly associated with these projects.There is no international system that currently governs resource extraction to protect human rights or the environment. In many countries where extractive companies operate, national protections do not exist or are not enforced, multilateral institutions are often weak or inaccessible, and there are barriers to seeking justice in Canada.Canadian oil, mining and gas companies have to live up to international human rights, labour and environmental standards. As my MP, I would like you to work in Parliament to:1. Create an independent extractive-sector Ombudsman in Canada, with the power to investigate complaints and make recommendations, including suspending or ending Canadian government support to companies that do not respect international standards. Unlike the current Corporate Social Responsibility Counsellor, the Ombudsman needs to be mandated to make its findings public and perform these functions regardless of a company's willingness to participate; and2. Provide legislated access to Canadian courts for people who have been seriously harmed by the international operations of Canadian companies. Such legislation would clarify that Canadian courts are appropriate venues in which to hear claims against companies registered in Canada.[Your comments will go here]I am calling on you, as my MP, to actively support these measures and to call on all Parliamentarians to support such initiatives.Sincerely,[Your name]