Government Target Tougher Rules At Misbehaving Canadian Resource Companies

International Trade Minister Ed Fast. The federal government is planning to punish bad behaviour by Canadian resource firms operating abroad if they break Ottawa's new rules on corporate social responsibility. | CP

The federal government is planning to punish bad behaviour by Canadian resource firms operating abroad if they break Ottawa's new rules on corporate social responsibility.

International Trade Minister Ed Fast will announce later today that Ottawa will withdraw government support from Canadian mining and energy companies that refuse to help resolve disputes with local communities.

In a prepared speech to be delivered in New Westminster, B.C., Fast says companies that do not co-operate will lose the support of Ottawa's economic diplomacy and trade services.


The Canadian mining sector has large operations in developing countries, where companies have faced numerous allegations — from environmental destruction to human-rights abuses.

Critics, meanwhile, have said the government hasn't done enough to crack down on Canadian companies accused of transgressions abroad.