Strongly worded e-mail: Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs

I wrote to my local MP and to my utter surprise, 4 months later I actually got a reply from the Minister of Foreign Affairs (or someone writing on his behalf). Too bad it's 5 paragraphs don't actually say anything.  It kind of reminded me of Yes, Minister.


TO: Fry, Hedy - M.P.; Bell, Don - M.P.
SUBJECT: Skye Resources of North Vancouver
DATE: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:07 AM

Hi,

I felt sick to my stomach when I discovered this.  Is there anything
that can be done about it?

Dave Duprey
Vancouver, Canada

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096414450

Excerpt:

Security forces burn peasant settlements for Canadian nickel firm

NEW YORK - On Jan. 8, some 600 Guatemalan national police and army
troops occupied two Kekchi Maya indigenous communities at El Estor,
Izabal department. Their orders were to evict the 308 families that made
up the settlements of La Union and La Pista. The following morning, 175
more Kekchi families were forcibly expelled from the nearby communities
of La Revolucion and La Paz. A Kekchi community at Lote 8 in the
neighboring department of Alta Verapaz was also evicted.

The evictions were carried out on behalf of the Guatemala Nickel Co.
(CGN), a subsidiary of the Vancouver-based Skye Resources Nickel Mining
Co., which holds a disputed title to the lands.


FROM: Office of the Hon. Dr. Hedy Fry
SUBJECT: RE: Skye Resources of North Vancouver
DATE: Feb 28th 2007

Dear Mr. Duprey:

Thank you for your e-mail.  I will be sure to bring it to Dr. Fry's
attention at the first available opportunity.


FROM: Hon. Dr. Hedy Fry
TO: Hon. Jean-Pierre Blackburn, P.C., M.P.
DATE: March 13th, 2007

FROM: Human Resources and Social Development Canada
DATE: April 2nd, 2007

Dear Mr. Duprey:

On behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour, I am pleased to respond to your electronic message of February 20, 2007, which was forwarded to him on March 13, 2007, by your Member of Parliament, the Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry.  You wrote concerning a subsidiary company of the Vancouver-based Skye Resources Nickel Mining Company, in Guatemala.

Please be assured that your concerns have been brought to Minister Blackburn's attention.  Although I understand your position, I must explain that the issue you have raised falls under the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs.  After confirmation with our colleagues from that Department, I wish to clarify that the Honourable Hedy Fry took the right course of action by forwarding a copy of your correspondence directly to the office of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, who will be responding to your concerns.

I hope that this proves helpful.  Thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,

Wanda Thompson
Director
Ministerial and Executive Correspondence,
Events and Appointments
Human Resources and Social Development Canad

FROM: Peter G. MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs

DATE: June 13th, 2007

Dear Mr. Duprey:

The Office of the Honourable David Emerson has forwarded to me your email of February 20, 2007, concerning the exploratory operations of Skye Resources Inc., a Canadian mining company, in Guatemala.  I regret the delay in replying to you.

As part of Canada's balanced engagement with Guatemala, Canada advocates for both the defence of human rights and the environment, as well as the promotion of sustainable development through responsible Canadian investment. Canada's position on the importance of corporate social responsibility and harmonious relations with neighbouring communities and stakeholders is well known to Canadian companies operating in Guatemala, including Skye Resources Inc.

The Canadian Embassy in Guatemala actively encourages open and constructive dialogue on mining issues between all stakeholders in Guatemala, including government officials, local communities, the

church, civil society, and Canadian mining companies, in order to promote a well-informed and healthy debate on concerns related to extractive industries. Skye Resources representatives are taking part in meetings with community members in El Estor, Guatemala, in the hope of reaching a positive outcome for all parties concerned.  

Canadian government officials have met with their Guatemalan counterparts to express Canada's support for efforts to institute a consensus framework for community consultation and for any modification of Guatemala's mining laws that is considered desirable. 

Please be assured that Canada will continue to promote Canadian investment in Guatemala that is both socially and environmentally responsible.

Thank you again for taking the time to write and share your concerns.

Sincerely,

Peter G. MacKay

Minister of Foreign Affairs