Amnesty Write-A-Thon: Letter to Iggy re Bill C-300

Amnesty International is deeply concerned about human rights violations committed directly or indirectly by some Canadian mining, oil, and gas companies operating in developing countries.

The organization has received disturbing reports about Canadian extractive companies operating in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. Human rights abuses involving corporations are often carried out with impunity. Host nations are frequently unable or unwilling to prevent and punish such actions.

Amnesty International urges the Canadian government to adopt stronger legal and policy frameworks to hold corporations to account for their abuse of human rights in developing countries.

Canada’s parliament will be voting soon on new legislation on corporate accountability. Bill C-300, An Act respecting Corporate Accountability for the Activities of Mining, Oil or Gas in Developing Countries says that Canada’s government should not provide funding or other support to companies that violate international human rights standards or that badly degrade the environment.

Bill C-300 already has the support of two opposition parties – the NDP and the Bloc. The Conservative party has made it clear they will not support the Bill in any form.

The fate of Bill C-300 rests with the Liberal party – if they vote Yes, then the bill will pass. But Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has not yet publicly declared his support for the Bill. Time is of the essence: the standing committee tasked with reviewing Bill C-300 will wrap up its hearings shortly.