Comments on: RBC to RAN: “we may indeed be able to have a productive discussion”

By: Jessica Klein

Jessica Klein — Wed, 05 May 2010 04:49:35 +0000

As a long time environmentalist,I appreciate your work against the horrible tar sands developement!thanks for making the connection with RBC’s involvement in the tar sands.I will write a letter and try to have some influence as we have done some ethical investment with them.As well,we will be making a donation towards your tar sands work,sincerely,Jessica

By: Over 170 People Tell RBC To Get Out of the Tar Sands! | RYSE

Over 170 People Tell RBC To Get Out of the Tar Sands! | RYSE — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:25:34 +0000

[...] Nations,” said Brant Olson of the Rainforest Action Network, which has been running a campaign to clean up RBC since its shareholder meeting last year. “Or they can lead Canada’s economy toward clean energy [...]

By: The Understory » Getting to Maybe with RBC

The Understory » Getting to Maybe with RBC — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:47:04 +0000

[...] of campaigning, this afternoon RBC and RAN finally sat opposite the same table to talk tar sands (here’s the background for those just tuning [...]

By: Adrian

Adrian — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:32:09 +0000

Awesome work, y’all. Keep up the heat!

And I’m also glad, like Eryn, that RAN is demonstrating its principles by refusing to back down on demanding free, prior, and informed consent for Indigenous communities living near tar sands projects (rather that the ridiculously weak “free, prior, and informed *consultation*” that the industry currently uses as their standard. This is going to be the huge hurdle to overcome – a strong FPIC policy would rightfully give First Nations communities substantial power over tar sands projects, giving them a seat at the table to decide whether massively destructive tar sands mines will be built on their ancestral lands.

I’m eager to see to what extent RBC is willing to do the right thing – but, as Brant says, as long as they keep FPIC off the table, RAN isn’t going to back down. (But sooner or later, RBC’s going to give in on FPIC – so they might as well do it sooner!)

By: The Blackbird

The Blackbird — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:33:06 +0000

Outstanding. I met someone with RAN at this 2010 Corporate Campaign leafleting action:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackbird_hollow/4017291629/in/set-72157622479437471/

The negative publicity in so mainstream a forum as Flickr adds a little pressure. I don’t belong to any activist organizations but, as a photojournalist and as a freelance documentary photographer, I have covered several. It’s great to see lines of communication opening, in this case. Well done.

Good luck with the conversation and keep us informed.

And thanks for the link!

By: John

John — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:51:38 +0000

Anyone have ideas/explanations for RBCs contrasting positions on ‘free, prior and informed consent, FPIC’, which they outright reject, compared to the apparent willingness to discuss their enviro. risk policy? Are enviro. risk policies easier to ‘water down’ then commitments to FPIC?

By: Eryn

Eryn — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:35:41 +0000

FPIC*

By: Eryn

Eryn — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 01:08:40 +0000

Great article and great work being done by RAN! The dismissal of human and indigenous rights, PPIC, and complacence of accepting shared responsibility for the practices of businesses they finance make me feel that this meeting is a step in the right direction but I don’t expect any huge concessions.

My concern is the growing opposition, awareness, and action against RBC by other groups and individuals(which is great!), which will most definitely occur in the coming weeks being labeled as RAN activities. A commitment from RAN groups for “no surprises”, doesn’t mean there wont’ be any.

By: Brant

Brant — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:13:11 +0000

Good question Dave. We’ve only agreed to “no surprises” until the meeting. If we don’t see a breakthrough, we can certainly return to our hi-jinx-as-usual approach.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:04:41 +0000

So what’s to prevent RBC from holding RAN at bay while the Olympics play out and the bank gets through its AGM and then not moving an inch at the meeting?

By: John

John — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:33:41 +0000

Great work by RAN! I agree, human rights and indigenous rights can’t be separated from environmental rights. ‘Free, prior and informed consent’ must be incorporated into RBC’s financing decisions.
With the Olympics and RBC’s annual shareholders meeting approaching I wonder if RBC is honestly willing to talk and change, or whether this is an attempt to control ‘bad’ publicity during these high profile events.

By: Helene Walsh

Helene Walsh — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:15:42 +0000

So RBC is trying to split the ENGO/Indigenous movement. Don’t let it happen. Together we have a greater chance to improve the likes of RBC. Indigenous rights and environmental well being are integral issues.

By: yasuni

yasuni — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:52:29 +0000

Great to see RAN has broken through the RBC’s culture of not caring about indigenous rights or the environment. Now that they have opened the door to negotiations please dont leave the plight of Canada’s Indigenous peoples off the table. This issue is too important to ignore!