OTTAWA -- The federal government is ignoring a UN panel's request to explain how Canadian mining and resource companies deal with complaints of abuse.
Tuesday was the Canadian government's first opportunity to address the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva, which is conducting the first review in 10 years of Canada's compliance to a major international treaty.
The committee has heard expressions of concern about Canada's extractives' industry, the treatment of aboriginals and anti-terrorism measures from two dozen groups, including the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International.
The committee asked Canada to provide answers to 24 separate questions about how it implements the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
That included how it monitors the human rights conduct of Canadian mining, oil and gas companies operating abroad, some of which face lawsuits alleging abuses.
Laurie Wright, the senior Justice Department official who led Canada's delegation, did not address the issue in her six-page opening statement, but committee members raised it during questions.
