Unpopular in Peru

Re: “Canada encourages Peru to cut mining red tape; Harper supports streamlining of environmental assessment process,” the Journal, May 23. Stephen Harper doesn’t get it.

The collaboration of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Barrick Gold and World Vision was not well received in Peru.

Since 2007, thousands of Peruvians have demonstrated against Barrick Gold’s ongoing open pit mine in Quiruvilca district northwest of Lima.

In 2011, Barrick carried out 366 perforations in a wet zone close to five small lakes that form a catchment area providing clean water for 8,000 farmers downstream. When the municipality passed an ordinance for a conservation zone for the area, Barrick appealed to the Constitutional Court in Lima. In 2012, a contingent of farmers and rural dwellers walked 557 kilometres to Lima, joining thousands from across Peru in a march for water.

Canadian gold mining companies use lots of water and sodium cyanide to extract gold flecks. A bigger problem still is the slow, chronic, long-term harm that comes from crushed waste rock.

Companies such as Barrick Gold are the source of conflict because of the dispossession of lands, destruction of water sources and ignoring of international rights.

The federal government is shifting international aid to promote Canada’s commercial interests abroad. It is, in fact, subsidizing mining companies. Meanwhile, proposals by non-governmental organizations and charities are cut without explanation.

Canada must keep a focus on poverty reduction and food security — goals not achieved by promoting Canadian mines.

When he visited Edmonton in February, Peruvian Archbishop Pedro Barreto asked Canadians to pressure mining companies to conform to international social and environmental standards. Harper, on the other hand, supports cutting red tape.

Cecily Mills, Edmonton