On March 2, the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) voted to adopt the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (the VPs). While several MAC members were already formally implementing the VPs, the adoption by MAC means that the human rights standard now applies to all MAC members. This brings MAC in line with the government of Canada's own endorsement of the VPs in 2009. The VPs were established in 2000 as a collaboration between the United Kingdom and United States governments, extractive companies (primarily in the oil and gas sector) and non-governmental organizations (NGO). They were created to help extractive sector companies protect their assets and people, while respecting human rights. The VPs include commitments by signatories to conduct risk assessments and manage relations with public and private security to protect human rights.
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