Mining Law Update: Bill C-300

Bill C-300, a private member's bill put forth by Ontario Liberal MP John McKay, purports to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the Canadian mining industry's site country operations. However, the perverse result of Bill C-300 could be that mining companies move to countries with less of a commitment to CSR, ultimately making matters worse for site countries.

The core of the bill, titled An Act Respecting Corporate Accountability for the Activities of Mining, Oil or Gas in Developing Countries, is captured in two requirements: first, that the federal government issue CSR guidelines meeting the requirements of the bill within 12 months, and, second, that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Trade investigate any complaint regarding a Canadian mining company that is made by any citizen or resident of Canada or of a developing country where that company operates.