Canadian Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, Stockwell Day said this in a statement. He went on to say, “It will also feature timely, practical information and advice on foreign countries, local networks and relevant experiences of Canadian companies, civil society and other stakeholders operating abroad.”

The site, hosted by the CIM, was developed in consultation with the federal government, industry, civil society, academia, indigenous representatives and expert practitioners. It is set to offer an inventory of experts, contacts, activities, reference materials, policies and regulations, country profiles and existing Canadian and international tools to assist companies in developing solid corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies.

It will also aim to provide a forum in which companies, CSR practitioners and stakeholders in Canada and abroad can share experiences and best practices, and facilitate the development of education programmes for industry and stakeholders.

The activities of Canadian miners operating in foreign countries grabbed headlines in the second half of 2009, when hearings were held into a private members bill that seeks to give the Canadian government the right to investigate claims of human rights or environmental abuses by Canada-based companies.

According to the Bill C-300, which is expected to go to a third-reading vote in the spring of 2010, taxpayer-funded financing, such as from Export Development Canada, would be withheld from companies found to have violated human rights or environmental standards.

Go to http://www.cim.org/csr/ to learn more.