the Role of Canadian Mining Interests: New Challenges for Canadian Foreign Policy1 (original) (raw)
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Mining Sector Regulation in Quebec and Canada: is a Redefinition of Asymmetrical Relations Possible?
Studies in Political Economy, 2009
we use different concepts that are thus necessary to define and put in context. Born of two theoretical frameworks that are distinct but complementary in many respects, the concepts of regime, structure, structural power, and values will be examined, with the emphasis placed on the links between them. Thanks to this framework, it will be possible to turn our attention to the recent evolution in the role of the state-a principal actor in the dynamics under study-as understood in light of the analytical proposals of Susan Strange and David Szablowski. On one hand, we take as a proposition, in keeping with the theoretical elements proposed by Strange, that the state tends to position itself "in retreat," and in a subsidiary manner in relation to IPE dynamics, which are now also characterized by other influential nonstate actors. On the other hand, in the context of the 1990s and with respect to the specifics of the mining sector, this retreat takes on a particular form that one can qualify, after Szablowski, as "selective absence." 7 Regime At the heart of our analysis, we define the concept of regime as an ensemble of legal dispositions that regulate a particular domain, such as, in the case that concerns us, the mining sector. The theory of international regimes, one of the fundamental theories of international relations, refers to this concept as a particular form of international institution that establishes relations of cooperation among different states. 8 Although this theory has been criticized by Susan Strange, 9 we, nevertheless, can use it to enlarge the initial definition of regimes, to understand them not only as a collection of legal dispositions, but also as "sets of governing arrangements [that include] networks of rules, norms, and procedures that regularize behaviour and control its effects." 10 Canadian and Quebec mining regimes initially institutionalize an ensemble of norms (i.e., standards of behaviour defined in terms of rights and obligations) 11 and regulations (i.e., more specific prescriptions), then foresee political decisionmaking procedures and, finally, make the principles official, particularly that of free mining, which guide the definition of the preceding categories. Referring to the commercial regime of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Émilie Revil underlines that "the theory of regimes
Mineral Economics, 2017
From the dual disciplinary perspective of law and political economy, this papers draws on a select literature to identify (1) two characteristics of Canadian mining rights and regulations which may generate social dissatisfaction; (2) the two main techniques currently implemented in order to answer social demands, including those of indigenous peoples and communities and (3) three important governance "transformations" emerging from these phenomena. It concludes with a number of lessons. In spite of the ongoing and recent efforts to reform the mining regime in certain provinces or territories, mining rights and regulations in Canada are still based on the free mining principle where mining is paramount to any other activity, be it social or economic. Efforts to respond to dissatisfaction over extraction projects and social demand for changes have focused on strengthening negotiated local economic benefits and a quest for local support in order to ensure the social acceptability of projects in the sector. These phenomena lead to three major ongoing governance transformations: the regulatory stalemate in spite of the need for reform; ongoing shifts in multi-level governance; and the devolution of responsibilities to the private sector. In the context of the stronghold of the free mining principle and negotiated agreements, the focus on social acceptability takes for granted or even reinforces the withdrawal and selective absence of public authorities and overlooks their possible roles and responsibilities.
Canadian Mining Investments in Argentina and the Construction of a Mining–Development Nexus
Latin American Policy, 2016
ABSTRACT This article explores the relations between Argentina and Canada through the mining sector during the political cycle of Kirchnerism (2003–2015). Mining has been a growing economic sector but also a source of social resistance capable of mobilizing a regulatory agenda that sets restrictions to this activity. State political agency has been central to managing these tensions. How has the state responded to the growth of the mining industry? What has been Canada's role in this process? The claim is that Kirchnerism's response to growing anti‐mining resistance in a context of macroeconomic tensions has been to reframe transnational mining as consistent with a national development outlook. We explore this argument by looking at changes at the material, discursive, and institutional dimensions of the mining–development nexus. RESUMEN El artículo explora las relaciones entre Argentina y Canadá en el sector minero durante el ciclo político del Kirchnerismo (2003–2015). El sector de la minería creció significativamente durante este periodo si bien también fue objeto de resistencias sociales que llevaron a reformas del contexto regulatorio de la minería introduciendo restricciones a la actividad. El papel del estado ha sido central en la gestión de estas tensiones. ¿Cómo ha respondido el estado al crecimiento de la industria minera? ¿Cuál ha sido el papel de Canadá en este proceso? Proponemos como hipótesis que el Kirchnerismo emprendió la redefinición del significado de la minería transnacional en términos de una visión de desarrollo nacional como respuesta ante la creciente resistencia anti‐minera en un contexto de tensiones macroeconómicas. Para fundamentar esta hipótesis mostramos la construcción de un nexo entre minería y el desarrollo a partir de un cambio en sus dimensiones material, discursivo e instituciona
Canadian Mining Interests in Bolivia, 1985–2015: Trajectories of Failures, Successes, and Violence
Over the past decade there has been a growing interest in and concern about the actions of Canadian mining companies in Latin America. In this article we contribute to these debates by combining economic, social, and political analyses to examine the development of the Canadian government and the role of Canadian-headquartered companies in Bolivia's mining industry. First, we review the influence of the Canadian government's development assistance on Bolivian mining policy. Second, we analyze the characteristics of Canadian FDI and its effects on the Bolivian mining sector. We argue that the economic effects of Canadian mining companies in Bolivia have been less than significant. We consider it a failed attempt, since our data suggests that the Canadian government attempted to " make Bolivia work " for mining companies. Finally, we illustrate the specific trajectories of Canadian mining companies with four brief case studies, two mines in operation, and two " failed attempts. " In the first two case studies we examine the development and accumulation of capital. In the second two cases, we focus on the social conflicts, which arose around the exploration activities of two junior mining companies. We argue that junior companies are important to consider when surveying the Canadian government's role in the country. Durante la ultima d ecada, ha habido un creciente inter es en y preocupaci on acerca de las acciones de las empresas mineras canadienses en Am erica Latina. En este art ıculo contribuimos a estos debates mediante la combinaci on de un an alisis econ omico, social y pol ıtico para examinar el desarrollo del papel del gobierno de Canad a y de las empresas canadienses en la industria minera de Bolivia. En primer lugar, se revisa la influencia de la asistencia para el desarrollo del gobierno canadiense sobre la pol ıtica minera boliviana. En segundo lugar, se analizan las caracter ısticas de la IED canadiense y su impacto en el sector minero boliviano. Se argumenta que el impacto econ omico de las empresas mineras canadienses en Bolivia ha sido menos que significativo. Consideramos esto como un intento fallido en cuanto nuestros datos sugieren que el gobierno canadiense intent o " hacer que Bolivia funcionara " para las empresas mineras. Por ultimo, ilustramos las trayectorias espec ıficas de las empresas mineras canadienses con cuatro breves estudios de caso, dos minas en operaci on, y dos " intentos fallidos. " En los dos primeros casos de estudio examinamos el desarrollo y la acumulaci on de capital. En los siguientes dos casos, nos centramos en los conflictos sociales que surgieron en torno a las actividades de exploraci on de dos empresas Latin American Policy—Volume 7, Number 2—Pages 215–240 V C 2016 Policy Studies Organization. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. mineras junior. Se argumenta que es importante considerar el rol de las empresas junior cuando se analiza el rol del gobierno canadiense en el pa ıs.