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We are pleased to announce the launch of the Office’s discussion note series. This new series will highlight research studies or global good practice, closely connected with the Office’s mandate of conflict resolution between companies and communities; or raising awareness of the endorsed performance guidelines.

We begin with a Discussion Note highlighting a recent research study by Harvard University and the University of Queensland, on the costs of community conflict in the extractive industry.

The Discussion Note is available on our website.

The research paper is available at http://www.shiftproject.org/publication/costs-conflict-local-communities-extractive-industry (English only).

*Disclaimer: This link is provided solely for the convenience of visitors to the Office's website. The Office is not responsible for the content, accuracy, currency or reliability of the content of the site nor does the Office endorse the site or its content.

May 2012: CSR Counsellor’s Office Launches New Series of Webinar Discussions

Join us for the first in our new series of webinar discussions - a 60 minute interactive webinar with the Office of the Extractive Sector Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Counsellor on Wednesday June 13, 2012 from 10am-11AM ET. This session will be conducted in English.

You will learn about the work of the Office and its conflict resolution tool, designed to promote dialogue and problemsolving between project-affected communities and Canadian mining, oil and gas companies outside of Canada. You will have an opportunity to ask questions via chat during the webinar. You will need a computer and internet access to participate.

There is no charge to attend, and no need to register.

May 2012: The Mid-Year Update 2012 of the Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor

The Mid-Year Update 2012 of the Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor is now available on our website. Please contact us for more information.

April 2012: Vancouver Sun Opinion Piece- "Extracting the risk from mining"

On Friday, April 27, 2012, the Vancouver Sun published an opinion piece written by Monkey Forest principal Gary MacDonald and Marketa Evans, the Government of Canada's Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor, entitled: "Extracting the risk from mining - Current market gives Canadian companies the opportunity to put fair and effective polices in place".

The piece is available at http://www.monkey-forest.net/news/articles53.php.

April 2012: Learning Partnership between Simon Fraser University and the Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor

The Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor, and The Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, are pleased to announce their new learning partnership on CSR and the extractive sector overseas.

Building on the success of the Office’s first learning partnership, with the Ryerson Institute for the Study of CSR at Ryerson University in Toronto, this new partnership will provide an additional forum for informed discussion of important issues related to corporate social responsibility of mining, oil and gas companies, promoting dialogue and cross-sector networking opportunities for those interested in these questions.

The principal contact for the partnership is the Responsible Mineral Sector Initiative (RMSI), housed in the Beedie School of Business. RMSI is a collaborative initiative to bring together people and organizations from diverse perspectives and experiences to share insights and concepts, develop strategies and tools, and build networks and relationships for effective leadership and responsible management in the mineral sector.

About Us:

Since the creation of Canada’s First Executive MBA in 1968, Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business has emerged as a dynamic teaching and learning setting, and enjoys a reputation for delivering world-class research and programs. The school ranks as one of the world’s top 100 research business schools, and draws from its unique Pacific Rim setting to reflect Canada’s growing place in the global economy.

The Office of the Extractive Sector Corporate Social Responsibility Counsellor was established in 2009 as part of the Government of Canada’s CSR Strategy for the International Extractive Sector. Broadly speaking, the Strategy is designed to help Canadian mining, oil and gas companies meet their social and environmental responsibilities when operating abroad. For further information, see www.international.gc.ca/csr_counsellor-conseiller_rse.

April 2012: Learning Partnership between Ryerson University and the Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor

The Institute for the Study of Corporate Social Responsibility, Ryerson University and the Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor established a learning partnership on CSR and the extractive sector overseas, building a neutral platform to contribute to informed public discussion of important issues related to corporate social responsibility of mining, oil and gas companies, and enhancing cross-sector networking opportunities for those interested in these questions.

Our series of public seminars continues with an interactive dialogue with Judith St. George, Chair of Canada’s National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines for Multi-National Enterprises. The discussion will include: recent revisions to the Guidelines; how Canada’s NCP is organized and lessons learned; and how the NCP fits in with the Government of Canada’s CSR strategy for the Canadian international extractive sector.

Event details: Understanding Canada's National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises: Recent Developments and Experiences

May 4, 2012

10:30-12:00PM

Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University

55 Dundas West, Room TRS 3-129 (ninth floor)

Chair: Marketa Evans, CSR Counsellor

There is no charge to attend but seating is limited. Please RSVP to Matthew Armstrong at matthew.armstrong@ryerson.ca.

About the speaker

Judith St. George is Director General of the Trade Commissioner Service Operations Bureau at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. In her current capacity she is Chair of Canada's National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multi-National Enterprises. She has previously worked as a trade commissioner in the USA, Malaysia, the Philippines and the United Kingdom, and has served as Consul General for Canada in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

March 20, 2012: Closing Report Released - First Quantum Minerals Limited

Today, the Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor released the closing report on the request for review relating to First Quantum Minerals Limited. It is found on the Office’s website, under the “Registry” tab in the “Request for review” section.

February 2012: Report available – Toronto Outreach with the World Bank's Compliance Advisor Ombudsman

The Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor was pleased to host the World Bank Group’s Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) in Toronto on January 25 & 26, 2012. The CAO has a similar mandate as the Office – voluntary, global in reach, supporting community/company problem-solving.

As stated by John Ruggie, United Nations Special Representative on Business and Human Rights: “The CAO’s work provides a valuable and practical example of how to build the space for companies and communities caught in a dispute...Their experience is instructive for all of us convinced of the need for more and better grievance mechanisms in this field.”

A report of the CAO’s activities is available on our website under Publications. The CAO also made a public presentation as part of our learning partnership with the Ryerson CSR Institute. Watch the webcast here (English only): https://ryecast.ryerson.ca/12/watch/1680.aspx

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like further information.

February 2012: Statement re: CBC Story on the CSR Counsellor's Office

The CBC recently ran a story about this Office. We regret any efforts to politicize our work and the many factual inaccuracies the story contained.

The Office’s intent is to make a contribution to resolving corporate/community conflicts and to provide a choice to those who seek alternative dispute resolution methods. The existence of the Office does not preclude the use of any other tools. We understand that this approach is new, and different from traditional ways of resolving disputes.

We know that the need for our pragmatic problem-solving service is significant. We have found solid evidence of the benefits such an approach can provide for both companies and communities. We have been heartened by the strong support we have received from across all sectors and we remain committed to ensuring our services remain available to those who see value in our non-legal approach.

We invite you to be in touch with the Office to learn more.
Visit: www.international.gc.ca/csr_counsellor-conseiller_rse
Write to us at: csr-counsellor@international.gc.ca

January 2012: Second Annual Meeting of the Office’s Advisory Panel

The second annual meeting of the Advisory Panel of the Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor was held in Toronto on January 25 & 26, 2012.

January 2012: Live Webcast - The CSR Counsellor and Ryerson University Host the World Bank's Compliance Advisor Ombudsman

In building the dispute resolution mechanism of the Office of the CSR Counsellor, the World Bank’s Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) served as a model for a constructive approach to company-community problem solving. Over its 11 year history, the CAO has dealt with about 100 eligible cases.

The Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor was pleased to host the CAO in Toronto on January 25 & 26, 2012. The CAO engaged in workshops with the Offices advisory panel, as well as industry and civil society. The CAO also made a public presentation as part of our learning partnership with Ryerson University. Watch the webcast here (English only): https://ryecast.ryerson.ca/12/watch/1680.aspx.

A report on the CAO’s visit will follow. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like further information.

January 2012: Opinion Piece in Embassy Magazine

See our Opinion piece in today’s Embassy magazine http://embassymag.ca/newsstand/pickup/13044u764d5hkgg3378247

(English only, page 7).

January 2012: Invitation to Public Seminar featuring the World Bank's Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman, Hosted by the CSR Counsellor's Office and Ryerson University

Our series of public seminars continues with an interactive dialogue with Meg Taylor, the World Bank’s Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman.

Event details: “Company-community dialogue & conflict resolution: Reflecting on 10 years of the work of the Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman”

January 26, 2012
12:30-1:30PM
Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University
55 Dundas West, Room TRS 3-119

There is no charge to attend but seating is limited. Please RSVP to Matthew Armstrong at matthew.armstrong@ryerson.ca.

What is the CAO?

CAO is the independent recourse mechanism for projects supported by the private sector agencies of the World Bank Group - the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). IFC and MIGA promote poverty reduction through private sector development in countries around the world. When people believe they may be affected negatively by an IFC or MIGA project, they can request help from CAO to address their concerns. CAO works with all the key parties involved in a project to find real solutions that improve social and environmental outcomes on the ground.

December 2011: CSR Counsellor's Office and Ryerson University Host Book Launch - “Governance Ecosystems: CSR in the Latin American Mining Sector.”

In mid-December 2011, the Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor and the CSR Institute at Ryerson University presented the latest event in their joint public seminar series, a book launch of “Governance Ecosystems: CSR in the Latin American Mining Sector.”

The co-editor of the volume, Professor Julia Sagebien, presented an overview of the research, beginning with the initial questions that inspired the research:

Why so much conflict around the mining sector?
Why is the literature so contradictory?
Why is the discourse so polarized?
Why is CSR necessary but not sufficient?

Following Professor Sagebien, other volume contributors presented brief summaries of their chapters, dealing with law, finance and evolving global norms.

Powerpoint PPT can be found on the website of the CSR Institute at http://www.ryerson.ca/csrinstitute/key_dates/index.html.

The various authors in the book explore the complex dynamics of mining and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Latin America, including a reflection on the African continent, presenting arguments and case studies based on new research on a set of urgent and emerging questions surrounding mining, development and sustainability. The book urges a more “systemic” look at CSR, not as a firm-centric issue but by placing the firm in a broader system, as one “rule-bound actor” among many, in an overall system aiming to deliver social and environmental value. The systemic approach adds a new dimension to debates about whether mining is good or bad for communities and countries and whether CSR is good or bad for mining firms and their stakeholders. It shows instead how a variety of different social, economic, and political actors negotiate their conflicting interests surrounding large-scale extractive projects.

The book is available through www.amazon.com

December 2011: Annual Report to Parliament of tabled by the Minister of International Trade

Today, the annual report to Parliament of the Extractive Sector Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Counsellor was tabled by the Minister of International Trade, Government of Canada. The report can be found here.

The report summarizes the second year of the existence of the Office, as part of the Government of Canada’s CSR Strategy for the International Extractive Sector.

The role of the Office is to actively promote responsible practices for Canadian companies abroad and to resolve, through constructive dialogue, disputes connected with endorsed performance standards.

Complete information on the process and supporting documents for potential participants are available on the Office’s website.

November 2011: Response from the CSR Counsellor to Recent Media Reports

I am pleased to see the great interest recently expressed in the Canadian Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor. While a variety of opinions about the Office is to be expected, the mandate of the Counsellor is a matter of law, not opinion.

The mandate of the Counsellor is clear from even a cursory perusal of the Office’s website. It is impossible to interpret the mandate as that of a ‘watchdog’ on the mining industry. Therefore to judge it on that basis is clearly misleading.

The Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor is the first of its kind in the world. The Counsellor has a ‘review’ mandate and an ‘advisory’ mandate. The Counsellor’s review mandate, as part of the Government of Canada’s CSR Strategy, is directly tied to the voluntary guidelines endorsed under that strategy: the IFC Performance Standards, the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, the Global Reporting Initiative. We work to resolve disputes connected with these voluntary guidelines only. We work to resolve those disputes through constructive dialogue. The Counsellor is not a judge, arbitrator or watchdog. The office doesn’t solve the problem for the participants; it assists parties in finding ways to resolve the problem themselves.

We believe there are proven and important benefits to dialogue between companies and communities – including opportunities to build trust, strengthen long term relationships, share information and learn. Dialogue-based mediation is a well-established way to resolve disputes. Our approach – non judicial in nature and working through constructive dialogue – has been consistently endorsed by our key constituencies, including, importantly, project-affected communities overseas.

For the record, the process launched only one year ago, and the volume of requests is well within expectations, based on our extensive global benchmarking, documented in the Office’s Backgrounder (June 2010) and 2010 Annual Report to Parliament, both readily available on our website. For instance, over the past 10 years, OECDWatch notes that the 40+ global National Contact Points have received a total of 213 cases.

We would encourage anyone who would like more information about the Office to contact us directly.

October 2011: The Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor releases the closing report on the Request for Review relating to Excellon Resources Inc.

Today, the Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor released the closing report on the request for review relating to Excellon Resources Inc. The report is published here. It is found on the Office’s website, under the “Registry” tab in the “Request for review” section. The Spanish translation will be available shortly.

Disclaimer: Links to external websites are provided solely for the convenience of visitors to the Office's website. The Office is not responsible for the content, accuracy, currency or reliability of the content of these sites nor does the Office endorse the sites or their content.

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Date Modified:: 2012-09-17

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