In a close vote on October 27th, 2010, the House of Commons narrowly failed to pass Bill C-300, The Responsible Mining Act sponsored by Liberal MP John McKay. The Bills’ main intention was to ensure that extractive companies operating in developing countries comply with international human rights and environmental standards accepted as international best practice. Foreign affairs and trade ministers would have been responsible to examine public complaints and submit annual reports to the Commons and Senate for review. Companies failing to comply with these international standards would have lost their funding from Export Development Canada, Canadian trade commissions and embassies would cease their support and promotion of the company’s activities.

By Steven Pacifico, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)