In Canada there is movement to ensure Canadian companies like Barrick are held accountable: The House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade has called on the Government of Canada to take action to end the devastating social and environmental impacts of Canadian mining operations overseas. A recent Standing Committee report calls on the Government to: (i) stop using taxpayer money to support destructive Canadian mining projects abroad; (ii) hold Canadian mining companies legally accountable for environmental and human rights violations in other countries, and; (iii) force the World Bank to respect international human rights standards. The Government has about 90 days left to respond and it would like nothing more than to sweep the report under the carpet. Action is needed to pressure the Government to adopt the Committee’s recommendations and to immediately address ongoing international scandals associated with the Canadian mining industry.
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