Canadian Roundup
Published by MAC on 2006-05-07
Canadian Roundup
7th May 2006
The North South institute in Canada has produced a gritty report providing an in-depth description of one Canadian First Nation's experiences of negotiating with multi-national mining companies and government (see attachment). Building on a diverse range of interviews with community members, the case study highlights key lessons and advice for other communities considering entering into these types of negotiations. It also provides analysis on whether the experience of Canada's first diamond mine - BHP Billiton's Ekati - is indeed a model for others to consider, as Canadian government officials often claim. The case study enters the debate on free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), and whether impact benefit agreements can be regarded as implanting the precept.
The report grew out of a request by communities in West Suriname who will be affected by proposed bauxite-mining related activities by BHP Billiton and Alcoa. It supplemented information shared first-hand by two members of Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation who shared their experience directly in Suriname in May, 2005.
A training video has been produced to complement the written text.
Contact: Viviane Weitzner,
Senior Researcher,
The North-South Institute
55 Murray, Suite 200,
Ottawa, ON K1N 5M3 Canada
Tel: (613) 241-3535 x 248
Fax: (613) 241-7435
E-mail: vweitzner@nsi-ins.ca