Foreign Affairs committee  We will follow up more fulsomely with a response from DFAIT.

Foreign Affairs committee  —the Equator Principles.

Foreign Affairs committee  I'm not able to respond to that, but we could follow up with EDC and get an answer for you.

Foreign Affairs committee  Canada is, on many measures, number one. We have well over 50% of the global exploration and mining companies. About a third of the global capital for exploration and mining investment is raised on the Toronto Venture Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Next in the size and reach of its mining sector is Australia, and it's concentrated in several large corporations.

Foreign Affairs committee  Those conventions and their implementation within various countries or states articulate the relationship and responsibilities of individuals with respect to that country or state, and so aren't intended for corporations. This is an area of active work. The UN Secretary General mandated that work to John Ruggie, and he has produced an initial report.

Foreign Affairs committee  In response, Mr. Chair, what the round tables recommended was a broader policy-based approach, to which the government has responded substantively. The ombudsman function was essentially a fact-finding function that had mediative powers in many regards, very similar to what the government has implemented through the CSR counsellor.

Foreign Affairs committee  I'd note several things, Mr. Chair. The government has had in existence a national contact point for the OECD guidelines, so that's an existing mechanism that has been used. In addition, as issues arise, the mission in that country is often involved in support with the host government, the company, and other parties in establishing the facts.

Foreign Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, I would like to reiterate some of the points I've made. A first key step and a fundamental role of the CSR counsellor will be establishing facts, undertaking fact-finding. In addition, the mission on the ground can work with the host government, which has the legal frameworks to address violations of their codes and standards, and look for ways to proactively address concerns.