Conservatives oppose action on conflict minerals

NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) issued the following statement following the defeat of his private member’s bill on conflict minerals:

“Last night, the Conservatives voted against cutting off a significant funding source for some of the most violent extremists in the world who have killed, raped, and injured millions of Congolese women, men, and children.

“By voting against Bill C-486, the Conflict Minerals Act, the Conservatives also voted against giving consumers the facts they need to make informed decisions about the products they buy.

“Bill C-486 would have required Canadian companies to exercise public due diligence to make sure that minerals in their products do not fund armed groups in central Africa. It would have aligned Canada with international standards on corporate transparency and responsibility in the extractive sector.

“I am inspired by the widespread interest and support this bill has generated from thousands of Canadians, as well as civil society and industry organizations. I look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders to make Canada a leader in ending the trade in conflict minerals.

“Minerals may be everywhere, but conflict doesn’t have to be. Together, we can take conflict out of Canadian homes.”

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For more information, please contact:

Kiavash Najafi, Press Secretary, 613-852-6186 or Kiavash.Najafi@parl.gc.ca