Mr., Madame Chairperson:
Canada would like to take this opportunity to thank the bureau for the thoughtful
selection of the group of themes in this cycle of reporting. We would also like to remind
the bureau and all participants of some of the links between mining and previous
meetings of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, and would
draw your attention to Canada?s monograph on the Sustainable Development of Minerals
and metals prepared for the meeting of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable
Development in April 1997, and to Canada?s contribution to the land use dialogue at the
Eighth Session of the UNCSD in April and May of 2000, monograph 10 on the
sustainable development of Minerals and Metals. Our report to this meeting, details
some of the initiatives Canada has undertaken since then, and some are further described
in case studies.
The ability of Canada to transform its resource wealth potential into sustainable benefits
for its citizens, while at the same time respecting the need to protect the environment is
based on an approach that recognises that good governance policies and legislation are
key factors towards ensuring that the benefits from mineral resource development
enhance the contribution of mining, minerals, and metals to sustainable development.
Reliance on natural resources constitutes the primary engine for socio-economic
development and regional economic diversification for many communities across
Canada, including Aboriginal communities. Mining plays an important role in the
economic prosperity and social development of Canadians, especially in rural (often
remote), northern, and Aboriginal communities, as minerals and metals industries are
among the largest actual and potential employers, offering a variety of short- and long-
term employment opportunities.
Canada would like the CSD18 review to reflect both the successes and the challenges of
the current situation for mining. The record shows that mining has contributed to
sustainable development in many countries. Reinforcing the negatives and downplaying
the significant progress being made fails to recognize the contribution of mining to
sustainable development.
Canada recognises that good governance is a necessary condition for mining to contribute
to sustainable development. Canada recognises that a number of challenges face mining
related activities in a number of countries. This may lead some to the conclusion that
mining is incompatible with sustainable development.
When managed properly, however, mining offers an opportunity for countries to deliver
sustainable benefits to their citizens and to reduce poverty. For Canada and for many
developing countries, the natural resource endowment represents a comparative
advantage for economic and social development. In 2009, the Government of Canada
announced its Corporate Social Responsibility 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.
Canada would like to express the view that a balanced and informed discussion about the
progress made over the last ten years to reinforce capacity to manage the mining sector is
required to form a strong basis for moving forward in the policy year of the CSD work
plan.
Canada is pleased to be working in partnership with the member countries of the
Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development to
raise awareness about the many improvements made to address issues related to mining.
Mining can contribute to sustainable development as witnessed by many countries such
as Canada.
Good governance is a key element required to achieve a successful outcome for societies
that wish to develop their mineral resource potential for the benefit of their citizens.
A change is required in the conversation about mining to seek solutions to the challenges
and to view mining as an opportunity for sustainable development in developing
countries. There is a need for multilateral and international aid agencies to return to
capacity building in the mining sector.
Mr./Madame Chair, Canada remains committed to working with our domestic partners
and the international community to address the challenges we face in working to
maximize mining?s contribution to sustainable development. Continuing dialogue in
international fora such as this one is essential to our continued progress. I thank you for
the opportunity to speak. I look forward to our discussions and to sharing examples of
best practices with other nations.
