Integrity

Spring has sprung and the Occupy Movement in Toronto has been sending up new shoots of protest. Yesterday protestors were at the annual general meeting of Barrick Gold demonstrating against what they say are unfair and exploitive practices by this mining giant in foreign countries. Some of the protestors were from Tanzania where Barrick guards have been accused of violence and sexual attacks. The founder, Peter Munk, insists that the company is a good corporate citizen wherever it does business.

Meanwhile shareholders of another Canadian company, SNC Lavalin, the engineering firm, have been putting heat on management over allegations of bribery in foreign countries to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. A top official was arrested and charged in Switzerland. We also know that the company was involved in building a massive prison in Libya before the fall of Gaddafi. God knows what would have gone on there.

Of course these are allegations, not convictions, and this company and its leaders will have their day in court. It does raise important issues about standards for honesty and justice in foreign countries by Canadian companies. Canada gets high marks in international surveys for the low levels of corporate corruption and influence-buying within our borders. But there are murkier rules and laws elsewhere. We can assume that most companies conduct themselves with integrity, but one of the seven deadly sins is greed and it appears that some have made "deals with the devil" for financial gain.

There have been times when church groups have purchased shares in companies for the purpose of speaking at annual meetings and voicing concerns over corporate practices. Should faith groups raise these issues or stick to the business of saving souls? Who is supposed to challenge the uglier side of making a profit? Is it good that Occupiers are raising a stink?