The Empire Club of Canada
Thursday, November 27, 2014
The Empire Club of Canada Presents:
Critical Role of Transparency in the Fight Against Corruption Featuring Claire Woodside and Pierre Gratton In Conversation With Akaash Maharaj
The linkages between resource revenue transparency, improved oversight, and development outcomes from extractive industries. For governments worldwide, mining investment holds promise of change: the opportunity to increase infrastructure and social investments, and a chance to establish broad based economic growth. The past decade has witnessed a dramatic increase in resource development in many countries, particularly in the developing world. However, despite the sudden influx of resource revenues, many countries have struggled to convert this newfound wealth into economic growth and prosperity. Unfortunately, citizens, elected officials, municipal and state governments often remain in the dark about the natural resource revenues received by their national governments from mining activity. This environment can foster corruption, mismanagement and, sometimes, conflict.
As a major mining country, Canada is helping to turn this around with legislation which was tabled recently in the House of Commons that would require the mandatory disclosure of payments made by Canadian extractive companies, including mining companies, to host governments. This would result in a source of credible information that citizens can use to hold their governments accountable and fight corruption.
Akaash Maharaj, Executive Director of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, will moderate a discussion between two organizations that have been pushing Canada to implement mining payment transparency legislation a unique collaboration between industry and civil society. Join Claire Woodside of Publish What You Pay Canada, Pierre Gratton of the Mining Association of Canada, and Akaash Maharaj for this important discussion.
Moderator:
Mr. Akaash Maharaj, Executive Director, Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption
Speakers:
Claire Woodside, Director, Publish What You Pay Canada; Board Member, Transparency International Canada
Pierre Gratton, President & CEO, Mining Association of Canada
*The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.*
*Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*