Up to the Challenge: a Multi-Stakeholder Conference on Corporate Accountability in Canada’s Extractive Industries Operating Abroad
One-day, Multi-stakeholder Conference on Corporate Accountability in Canada’s Extractive Industries Operating Abroad, co-sponsored by the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability and the Mining Association of Canada.
When: Tuesday November 3, 2009, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: Holiday Inn, Plaza la Chaudière, 2 rue Montcalm, Gatineau, Québec
Who should attend: Federal Government officials, civil society and industry representatives, academics and students, Members of Parliament and media
Simultaneous interpretation will be available for the morning plenary and for one afternoon panel / discussion group.
Lunch will be provided on site.
To register: Conference Registration is closed. Pre-registration is required.
For further information: contact Jean Christie
The Context: In 2005, a Parliamentary report stimulated a lively debate about corporate accountability in Canada’s extractive industries operating overseas, and a substantive dialogue among the Canadian government, industry and civil society. This conference builds on the spirit of that dialogue and reviews some concrete outcomes in Canada, in the context of relevant developments in other countries, and international processes such as the work of U.N. Special Representative, John Ruggie.
The Program: The conference will begin with a keynote panel entitled “Corporate Accountability in the Extractive Sector Operating Abroad – Progress and Challenges. Speakers will include Gordon Peeling, President and CEO of the Mining Association of Canada, Shanta Martin, head of Amnesty International’s extractives program and former mining ombudsman for Oxfam Australia, Hilde Jervan, Secretariat member of the Council on Ethics for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund, and a representative from Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. In the afternoon participants will choose from among three panels: 1) Resource Extraction and its Contribution to Development, 2) Corporate Accountability Mechanisms, and 3) Home Governments as Corporate Accountability Drivers: financial and diplomatic options. Each panel will include panellists from industry, government and civil society. Each will be followed by an open discussion among panellists and other conference participants, including visitors from Africa and Latin America. A closing plenary will receive reports from all panels.
Space will be limited to 150 participants. The conference is open to all who are interested. Pre-registration is required, to allow for catering.
Accommodation: A block of rooms will be held for conference participants at the Holiday Inn, for Nov. 2nd and 3rd. Cost: $119 / room / night + taxes. Participants should make their own reservations citing “CNCA / Steelworkers Humanity Fund Conference”. Phone 1 800 567-1962. Email: saleschaudiere@rosdevhotels.com. Website: www.rosdevhotels.com.