Community
Policy Statement
Working with Aboriginal Communities
De Beers Canada* acknowledges the status of aboriginal
people of Canada and their constitutionally entrenched
rights. In working with aboriginal people, De Beers
Canada will ensure that this status and their rights
are respected, and will work to strike a balance between
these considerations and other economic, social and
environmental responsibilities.
| De Beers Canada will apply
the following principles in all of its activities
and undertakings with aboriginal people in Canada: |
 |
It is recognized that aboriginal
people have a historical occupation, usage and reliance
on the land as well as a respect for the land and
environment, which is enshrined in their traditions
and practices. Arising from this is a far-reaching
wisdom and knowledge about the land and natural
environment. This knowledge will be actively solicited
and considered in the planning and management of
De Beers Canada’s activities. |
|
De Beers Canada believes that meaningful
consultation and communication regarding activities,
programmes and developments are necessary. Consultation
forms the basis for relationships and the De Beers
Canada process will be:
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timely (adequate notice; time
to evaluate and respond) |
|
informative (sufficient detail
and explanation to allow understanding) |
|
comprehensible (presented
in an understandable manner) |
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ongoing (process acknowledges
feedback; reports on how used) |
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responsive (changes based
on feedback where relevant/possible) |
|
|
De Beers Canada believes that projects
must benefit and add to the sustainability of local
communities. Socio-economic development will be
a primary focus through community participation
in employment and business opportunities in all
stages of the mineral development process from exploration,
evaluation, mine development, production and closure. |
|
De Beers Canada’s key corporate
values of integrity, reliability and honesty in
association with genuine respect for individuals
and communities, non-discrimination, best practice
standards, health and safety, protection of the
environment, teamwork and innovation will be promoted
at all times. |
| *Unless
otherwise stated, the term De Beers Canada means
De Beers Canada Corporation, De Beers Canada Mining
Inc. and De Beers Canada Exploration Inc. |
|
