The Canadian political scene is abuzz with attacks on a minister of the Federal Government. She apparently uttered “mistruths” about inserting the word “not” into a recommendation that a so-called religious group by the name of KAIROS be granted government money to continue their work.
Seems as though this group, KAIROS, also meddles in mining, as noted by this quote from a fuller report:
It [KAIROS} saw in the 2008 financial crisis the opportunity for a "New Global Order" -- read Socialism Redux. It has traditionally been anti-trade and anti-NAFTA. It thinks oil-sands development should be halted. It has also been prominent in stirring opposition to Canadian mining overseas, supporting Bill C300, which would have applied triple bottom line shackles to Canadian mining companies, and directly lobbying against individual projects. KAIROS took the lead in holding up the development of a mine at Cerro San Pedro in Mexico promoted by New Gold Inc. (previously Metallica Resources). It brought Mexican agitators to Ottawa who claimed 99% local opposition to the mine. However, the poll on which this statistic was based relied on leading questions. Its first question was "Do you agree with [the company's] contamination of the aquifer and the atmosphere of the valley of San Luis with cyanide and other hazardous substances?” The techniques of KAIROS, and NGOs like it, are transparent. They promote local agitation and then say “look at the agitation. The people must be unhappy.” They support lawsuits, then note that a project is beset by lawsuits. They have traditionally shown little interest in talking to project supporters. And yet they have achieved extraordinary influence in Ottawa, often on the grounds that they must be credible because they receive government support!
Stories like this make one long for the Tea Party of Canada. Or is Bev Oda already an incipient Tea Partier? It is good to see somebody taking a stand against squandering taxpayer money on fringe groups that promote dubious causes using dishonest means.
While Oda may have dropped the ball in telling how she stopped funding to this group, we must applaud her for taking a principled stand against government waste. And keeping a clear the line between secular and religious activities funded by government. Why should we taxpayers fund religious groups—of any persuasion?
There is some irony that the name of the program coordinator for Kairos is the same as a sterling advocate for practical CSR bridge building from the group ON Common Ground. I almost fell into the trap of linking the two, until my suspicions made me check! I am looking forward to seeing the Continuous Conference get rolling. Are you still going to call your area Tailings Failures, or perhaps call it Tailings Successes?
KAIROS — a so-called religious group?
KAIROS — a fringe group?
KAIROS — a supporter of dubious causes?
KAIROS — using dishonest means?
I challenge you to go to the KAIROS website and spend a couple of hours finding out what the organization is and does, and then come back and make those accusations again with a straight face.
I will immediately seize your rss as I can not in finding your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please permit me recognize so that I may subscribe. Thanks