ACTION: HOLD CANADIAN EXTRACTIVE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE

Please copy and email or mail this information. 

To: pm@pm.gc.ca; ed.fast@parl.gc.ca
Cc: bob.rae@parl.gc.ca; Elizabeth.May@parl.gc.ca; thomas.mulcair@parl.gc.ca

Subject: Canadian extractive companies

Importance: High

Dear Prime Minister Harper and Minister Ed Fast:

Almost every day there is news about the behaviour of Canadian extractive companies or their lobbyists in relation to foreign mining exploits.

For instance, just a few days ago I heard how Honduran legislators are seeking input from Canadian experts in the drafting of a new mining law, while at the same time Honduran civil society organizations denounce Honduran authorities for refusing to consult with them. The organizations criticize the proposed law for privileging water supplies for industrial use, for continued promotion of open-pit mining, and for lack of opportunities for meaningful and binding prior consultation with communities about proposed mining operations.

Canadian mining companies are of course very active in Honduras – most notably Goldcorp. Where Goldcorp has one of its’ mines, in the Valle de Siria, the water is now polluted with heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury, and the health of 80 percent of the 42,000 inhabitants has been affected.

No one should be looking towards “Canadian experts” for advice on how to go about mining.

Further, in relation to the quashing of Bill C-300, I reject the Canadian government siding with corporate interests over the interests of people and the environment.

I call upon the Canadian government to enact legislation that would hold Canadian extractive companies accountable for human rights violations and environmental impacts of their mining practices around the world.

I look forward to your response on this matter.

Sincerely,

(Name, Address, Postal Code) 

Via Dianne Varga 

CANADIAN MINING COMPANY IMPLICATED IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND INTIMIDATION - GHANA

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL KELOWNA PRESENTS THE DOCUMENTARY FILM

'WHEN SILENCE IS GOLDEN'

A Canadian gold mining company operating in Ghana is implicated in the severe contamination of a community's water sources and intimidation of the people there, by soldiers.

Details:
Friday April 27, 2012 at 7:30
Okanagan College, Room H-115
1000 KLO Road, Kelowna, BC
Admission by Donations

For More Information: 250-769-4740

MURDER OF AN OPPONENT TO A CANADIAN MINING COMPANY

A Canadian company involved? 

There was a time when Canada's reputation was that of 'peace keeper' and 'advocate for human rights'. However, as Canadian mining companies, continue their expansion into other countries, we are seeing an erosion of this reputation. And it's an erosion to the extreme opposite.

As policies exist today, there seems to be little that can protect the indigenous peoples, their lands and rights when it comes to Canadian mining companies plans and actions. This must be stopped.

"In November 2010, a proposed Responsible Mining Act that would have regulated the foreign operations of Canadian mining companies was narrowly defeated by 140-134 in the House of Commons. The defeat of the bill allows the companies to carry on with business as usual: unethical behaviour in establishing and running their operations, environmental destruction, human rights abuses and possibly murder.

Below are two press releases about the most recent violence in Mexico, and a letter you can send out that calls upon the government to enact legislation that would hold Canadian mining companies accountable for their actions in countries throughout the world." - Dianne Varga

Press Releases:
BLOOD FOR SILVER, BLOOD FOR GOLD – THE ASSASSINATION OF BERNARDO VASQUEZ: At Fortuna Silver's mine in Oaxaca, Mexico

Murder of Indigenous Opponent to Canadian Mine Sparks Protest at Canadian Embassy in Mexico City1 

MURDER OF AN OPPONENT TO A CANADIAN MINING COMPANY

What can you do? 

TAKE ACTION:  Send this letter (via Dianne Varga)


To: pm@pm.gc.ca; diane.ablonczy@parl.gc.ca
Cc: nycole.turmel@parl.gc.ca; Elizabeth.May@parl.gc.ca; bob.rae@parl.gc.ca

Subject: Foreign Operations of Canadian Mining Companies

Dear Prime Minister Harper and Minister Ablonczy:

On March 15th, Bernardo Vásquez Sánchez, an Indigenous Zapotec community leader and member of the Coordinating Committee of the United Peoples of the Valley of Ocotlán in San José del Progreso, Oaxaca, was murdered in an ambush by a group of gunmen. Bernardo was an outspoken leader against the mining operations of Vancouver-based Fortuna Silver Mines in San José del Progreso, Oaxaca, known locally by the name of its Mexican subsidiary, Minera Cuzcatlán.

Those opposed to the mine have experienced frequent attacks, threats and arbitrary arrests. Two months ago, Bernardo Mendez was killed in another spate of violence related to the mine. Jen Moore, Latin America Program Coordinator for MiningWatch Canada, has called for a full investigation into the violence in San José de Progreso. “This should include,” she said, “examination of how the company entered the area and how it may be benefiting from, aggravating, or corroding local governance structures to the detriment of Indigenous peoples there.”

I ask that you publicly condemn the violence and lend your voice to the calls for a full investigation into the murders of Bernardo Vásquez Sánchez and Bernardo Mendez, and into previous violence in San José de Progreso, including any possible connections with Fortuna Silver.

I also ask that you call for protection of environmental defenders in San José de Progreso.

In addition, I call upon you to enact legislation that would hold Canadian extractive companies accountable for human rights violations and environmental impacts of their mining practices around the world. Canada’s reputation in the world is becoming more and more sullied the longer that Canada supports corporate interests over the interests of people and the environment.

Sincerely,

[Name
Address
Postal Code]