Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is defined as the way companies integrate social, environmental, and economic concerns into their values and operations in a transparent and accountable manner. It is integral to long-term business growth and success, and it also plays an important role in promoting Canadian values internationally and contributing to the sustainable development of communities. The Government of Canada works with the Canadian business community, civil society groups, with foreign governments and communities as well as other stakeholders to foster and promote CSR.

• DFAIT Supports CSR Projects Abroad
  In an effort to foster and promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) at home and abroad, the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) encourages Canadian embassies, consulates, high commissions, regional offices and headquarters divisions to undertake CSR initiatives by providing them with a dedicated source of internal funding. While launched by various government offices at home and abroad, these CSR projects often include participation or partnership with other federal and provincial government departments, civil society organizations, academia, industry, chambers of commerce, foreign governments and Aboriginal groups, in order to maintain and uphold Canada's multi-stakeholder approach. Read the summary of projects and initiatives:  HTML    PDF (50Kb).
• CSR E-Bulletin

Building the Canadian Advantage: A Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy for the Canadian International Extractive Sector
(html | pdf 483 kb | Spanish pdf 148 kb)
The Government of Canada has announced its CSR Strategy for the Canadian extractive sector operating abroad. The Building the Canadian Advantage Strategy includes four main pillars: 1) support for host country resource governance capacity-building initiatives; 2) endorsement and promotion of widely-recognized international CSR performance guidelines; 3) support for the development of a CSR Centre of Excellence; and, 4) the creation of the Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor. Building the Canadian Advantage will improve the competitive advantage of Canadian extractive sector companies operating abroad by enhancing their ability to manage social and environmental risks. (See News Release - March 26, 2009)

The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights
The Government of Canada was welcomed as an engaged government at the 2009Plenary meeting of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. The Voluntary Principles help corporations anticipate and mitigate risks associated with the hiring of public or private security companies to safeguard extractive sector operations. In the coming months, the government will consult with stakeholders to develop an action plan for implementation.

On June 22, 2005 the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (SCFAIT) tabled the report - Mining in developing countries - Corporate Social Responsibility. The preparation of the response was led by DFAIT in close consultation with other government departments, including the Canadian International Development Agency, Natural Resources Canada, Industry Canada, Environment Canada, Finance Canada, Privy Council Office, Justice Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Export Development Canada. The Government's Response to the Report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade was tabled on October 17, 2005. (html | pdf 223 Kb)

Subsequently, in 2006, the Government of Canada organized the multi-stakeholder National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and the Canadian Extractive Sector in Developing Countries. The National Roundtables provided a unique opportunity to encourage a practical and solutions-oriented dialogue on ways to expand the knowledge and capacity of Canadian companies to conduct their operations in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner. The National Roundtables Advisory Group released their report in March 2007.