Canadian Mining in the Philippines

Mt. Canatuan (Zamboanga del Norte) is the Subanon equivalent of the Vatican to Catholics. The Catholics don't have to worry about the Vatican becoming an open pit mine however.

Toronto Ventures Incorporated is accused by the Subaonons (not to mention by national and international NGOs) of major human rights violations. I spent a week and a half here this past December.

I will be doing a small preview exhibition (I will be doing a full show in the coming months) at an upcoming Amnesty International event in Toronto. If anyone from the area is interested I look forward to seeing you there...

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From the micro
to the macro:

An exploration of how our money
—through investing and taxes—
creates ripples;
and whether or not it supports
human rights and the environment

As a participant, you'll hear from two expert panels

• Leaders in the field of Socially Responsible Investment
• People with direct experience and perspectives on Business, Human Rights, and the environment.

You'll also have the opportunity to explore some areas in more depth in a smaller group. By the end of the day you will be empowered, and will have a clear direction on how you can personally take action against companies that don't align with your personal values.

Presented by Amnesty International's Business and Human Rights group:

When: Saturday, February 9, 2008, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Metro Hall, 55 John Street , Toronto
RSVP: business@aito.ca

Keynote Speaker: Bruce Cox, Executive Director of Greenpeace Canada

Socially Responsible Investing Panel:

Ian Bragg, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) consultant

Paula Glick, Jantzi Research, Director of Sales and Marketing

Roger Langen, OSSTF, vice-chair of OSSTF provincial Human Rights Committee

Gillian Stein, Jantzi Research, Mining Analyst

Business and the Environment Panel:

Ulises Garcia, one of the main activists in the film Tambogrande: Mangos, Murder, Mining, about a successful blocking of gold mining in Peru ( www.guarango.org/tambogrande)

Catherine Coumans, Mining Watch Canada, Research Coordinator responsible for the Asia-Pacific program ( www.miningwatch.ca)

Dirk Matten, Professor at York University, Policy and Hewelett-Packard Chair of Corporate Social Responsibility at the Schulich School of Business, and academic member of the World Corporate Ethics Council.

Cost: Free!
Lunch is provided