I spent the early part of this week in Mistissini, the largest Cree community in Eeyou Istchee, the Cree Territory of northern Quebec, particpating in a two-day licencing hearing held by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). The hearing was part of the CNSC’s decision process for the...
ACTION ALERT: Budget Omnibus Bill C-38 Will Shred Canada’s Environmental Assessment Law (Among Many Other Things)
The Harper Government has introduced an Omnibus Budget Implementation Bill, C-38, which will actually repeal the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and replace it with a crude hand-drawn facsimile of a real federal environmental assessment process. Tell the Conservatives that Canada’s environment...
Pacific Rim Mining Lawsuit Saga Prolonged; Costs Mount for Company and for People of El Salvador
Continuation of Vancouver-based Pacific Rim Mining's lawsuit against El Salvador will be costly for all involved: the company, the state and, most of all, the Salvadoran people.
Shining a Light on the Federal Government’s False Claims on Environmental Assessment and the Budget
Focusing just on the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act included in Bill C-38, the proposed budget implementation Act, we find that every one of the government’s proclamations is specious, disingenuous, or plain old horse exhaust.
Plan Nord: The North challenges Charest government
The month of May may also prove to be a game-changer for the mining industry in Québec. Underreported in the mainstream media, one event should be looked at to understand why opposition to Charest’s aggressive resource extraction agenda has shifted in Québec. The Forum Plan Nord 2012 – The North...
Comments on CNSC Licensing of Matoush Project
MiningWatch Canada would like to submit these comments on the potential licencing of Strateco’s proposed Matoush Uranium Advanced Exploration Project to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
Canadian Human Rights Report on Colombia a ‘Sick Joke’
The Canadian government’s human rights report tabled in Parliament Tuesday regarding implementation of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement might as well have been a comic strip of three monkeys: “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
Environmental Defenders in Danger in Mesoamerica
In the last few years, environmental defenders have organized to confront the social and environmental impacts of the mining industry. For their work protecting natural resources and the environment, environmental defenders have been subjected to human rights violations, which include threats...
Local Votes and Mining in the Americas
Map: Since the first local vote in Tambogrande, Peru in 2002, the "consulta", or community referendum, has emerged as a powerful tool for communities affected by unwanted mining projects to voice their collective opinion on a project through engaging in popular democracy. By giving residents of...
Ontario Could Get Burned by Flawed Ring of Fire Process
Ottawa, May 9, 2012. In paired press releases the Ontario Government and U.S. mining company Cliffs Natural Resources today announced plans to proceed with the next step in the development of a chromite deposit in the area dubbed the “Ring of Fire”. The remote area of northern Ontario and the...
The Doctrine of Discovery: its enduring impact on indigenous peoples and the right to redress for past conquests
In this submission to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Global Caucus of Indigenous Peoples draws the links between the Doctrine of Discovery and the contemporary Doctrine of Development - both of which have had and continue to have disastrous effects on Indigenous Peoples...
Mining Injustice Conference: Resisting Extractivism, Lessons and Inspiration from Front-line Communities and Fellow Activists
A concern about the social and environmental destruction caused by Canadian mining companies brought me to the fourth annual Mining Injustice Conference organized by the Mining Injustice Solidarity Network, held at the University of Toronto.
ACTION ALERT: Sherritt Must Be Accountable for All Human and Environmental Damage Caused by the Ambatovy Project
Before the Ambatovy project is allowed to continue and before the delivery of approval to start production, the rights and needs of peasants and people affected by the construction phase – in regard to impacts on land, water, fish and forests – must be respected; the costs for compensation as result...
Honduran Congress Consults with Canadian Government and Mining Companies -- But Not Its Own People
Honduran civil society organizations are once again denouncing Honduran authorities for refusing to consult with them over a new mining law.
Goldcorp Shareholders Ask Company to Ensure Full Independent Financing and Disclosure of Closure Plans for Marlin Mine
Shareholder Resolution: Three Goldcorp shareholders have filed a resolution with the company to be voted on at its 2012 Annual General Meeting. The resolution asks Goldcorp to fully fund the closure and post closure of the Marlin mine in Guatemala, consult with local communities regarding closure...
Canadian Media Misses Castro’s Message
On Monday, our national media seemed taken aback when Fidel Castro pointed a finger at Canada. Confusion arose from not wanting to hear what he had to say.