Canadian prime minister claims his country is leading the way on CSR in minerals sector

Canadian prime minister claims his country is leading the way on CSR in minerals sector

by Prime minister's office (Canada), Heiligendamm, Germanyi

8th June 2007

At the conclusion today of his meetings with G8 and other leaders, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that Canada had met its objectives for the Summit.

The Prime Minister hailed as a major accomplishment the achievement of a G8 consensus on the way forward in addressing the challenge of climate change The G8 emphasized the importance of engaging all major emitters of greenhouse gases in discussions to tackle climate change, including their commitment to participate in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change conference in December 2007 in Bali, Indonesia, with a view to achieving a comprehensive agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012.

"At Heiligendamm, the G8 explicitly recognized that climate change is a global problem that requires a global response, and that we share a long-term vision on the need to accelerate our action to achieve deep reductions of greenhouse gas emissions," said the Prime Minister. "I am particularly pleased to see that the other G8 Leaders recognized Canada's plan to reduce emissions by 60 to 70% by 2050 over 2006 levels, as set out in our new domestic plan of action on climate change."

Prime Minister Harper congratulated German Chancellor Angela Merkel for her leadership in successfully managing an ambitious Summit agenda. In particular, he saluted the Chair's initiative to reach out to Brazil, China, Mexico, South Africa and India through the Heiligendamm Process, which will provide a structured dialogue between the G8 and these key emerging economies, on global economic challenges which require cooperation and common solutions.

Reflecting the priority that Canada attaches to its participation in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Harper led discussions with his colleagues on this topic. Leaders agreed that the lives of Afghans are improving, but that continued engagement from the G8 and the wider global community is needed to fulfill the commitments made to the people and the Government of Afghanistan by both the United Nations (UN) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to help them rebuild their country and their lives after years of oppression and violence. Leaders also agreed to work together on a comprehensive economic strategy for development in the Afghan/Pakistan border region. In addition, the G8 Chair's Summary welcomed the launch of the European Police Mission EUPOL in Afghanistan to help strengthen the Afghan National Police, and Canada's decision to contribute significant resources to this initiative.

During separate bilateral meetings with Brazilian President Lula, Chinese President Hu, Russian President Putin and South African President Mbeki, the Prime Minister talked about his approach to Leaders' discussions on both climate change and Afghanistan as well as economic and foreign policy issues of interest. Leaders of a number of African countries also joined G8 members to discuss progress on priorities for the G8-Africa partnership.

Other highlights of the Summit outcomes include:

* Leaders expressed deep concern about the tragic humanitarian crisis in Sudan and urged the Government of Sudan and rebel groups to engage in a political peace process, provide safe and unhindered humanitarian access to those affected by the crisis and accept fully the United Nations/African Union hybrid peacekeeping force.

* G8 Leaders recommitted to the G8-Africa partnership, noting that while much more remains to be done, progress is being made on the priorities outlined in the New Partnership for Africa's Development. The G8 agreed to focus their assistance on those countries that make a political commitment to good governance, democracy and socio-economic development. The G8 Leaders reaffirmed their commitments on international assistance to Africa, and emphasized the need to address priorities central to Africa's future: strengthening good governance and institutional capacities; fostering investment and sustainable growth; promoting peace and security; and improving health systems and fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

* Leaders took the opportunity of their annual statement on non-proliferation to reaffirm their common resolve to counter proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). G8 members underlined their commitment to international efforts in this area, particularly in the face of challenges from countries such as Iran and North Korea. The statement calls on all States to abide by international non-proliferation treaties and signals the G8's willingness to help countries that require assistance to meet treaty obligations.

* In highlighting ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, Leaders emphasized the importance of compliance with international law and human rights and stressed the protection of freedom of expression and religion as an important balance to cooperative action again terrorism.

* G8 Leaders agreed to promote a consolidated set of internationally recognized Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) guidelines and principles for extractive sector industry (mining, oil and gas) that will help clarify expectations of investors in developing countries.

Canadian Commitment to Heiligendamm Outcomes

Prime Minister Harper highlighted Canada's contributions to the key outcomes of the Heiligendamm Summit.

* On climate change, Canada recently announced a domestic plan of action which will put this country on track for absolute greenhouse gas reductions of 20% by 2020. Canada's plan will result in a 60 to 70% reduction of 2006 emissions by 2050, a long-term goal that is consistent with the European Union's proposal for a global target for reductions of 50% by 2050 over 1990 levels and also Japan's recent policy statement. Budget 2007 invested $4.5 billion in clean air and water, greenhouse gas reduction, climate change action and environmental protection.

* With respect to Afghanistan, Canada announced in Budget 2007 that it would spend an additional $200 million on reconstruction and development, focusing on new opportunities for women, stronger governance, improved security and the fight against illicit drugs. This brings total Canadian assistance in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2011 to $1.2 billion. To support the development of reliable Afghan policing, judicial and correctional systems that respect the rule of law and human rights, Canada is using some of these funds to build a police and justice sector In-Service Training Facility (ISTF) to fill the gap between basic police training and senior leadership development at a national level. Construction of this Kandahar-based facility is planned to begin in late 2007 and will take approximately 18 months. Once built, it will have capacity for up to 200 Afghan police to learn advanced policing techniques ranging from basic forensics and appropriate treatment of evidence. The European Union will participate in the ISTF by providing police trainers and mentors. In return, Canada has agreed to deploy at least 22 police officers to the European Union Policing Mission (EUPOL) in Afghanistan in Kabul and with the regional command in Kandahar.

* Canada will continue to work with G8 and African partners to make progress in fighting HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, and building African capacity to address peace and security challenges, and to support African-led initiatives on economic development and governance reform. Canada is on track to meet its commitment made at the Gleneagles G8 Summit in 2005 to double its international assistance from 2001 to 2010, with assistance to Africa doubling from 2003-04 to 2008-09. Accordingly, Canada's international assistance to Africa will double from $1.05 billion in 2003-04 to $2.1 billion in 2008-09. Since February 2006, Canada has made significant Africa-specific commitments, including:

- $450 million between 2006-2016 to support country-led efforts to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes in Africa;

- An increase from $100 million to $150 million in annual funding for basic education in Africa;

- $230 million to support an Advanced Market Commitments project to develop a vaccine for pneumococcal disease;

- $250 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), $150 million of which will be focused on Africa;

- $45 million to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, $22.5 million of which will be focused on Africa.

* In Sudan, Canadian humanitarian, peacebuilding and peace support operations assistance aimed at bringing an end to the conflict has totalled more than $393 million since 2004. Of this, $238 million is in support to the African Union Peacekeeping Mission (AMIS) for helicopters and fuel, making Canada the fourth largest donor to AMIS.

* Canada has recently completed a nation-wide consultation process involving stakeholders with the Canadian extractive sector (mining, oil and gas) in developing countries. Implementation of the recommendations from this process will place Canada among the most active G8 countries in advancing international guidelines and principles on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in this sector.

* Canada has taken a lead role in the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, launched in 2002. With its commitment of up to $1 billion over 10 years and its success in project implementation, Canada is, with the United States, the best performer under this G8 initiative.