Today, in Terminal City, the federal government held the first in a series of national roundtables discussing "issues of Corporate Social Responsibility in the mining, oil and gas sectors and their operations in developing countries." But, strangley, there seems to be something of a fog surrounding those discussions. In an interview with Public Eye, foreign affairs spokesperson Ambra Dickie said "It's my understanding that the media is not permitted access to the actual event itself. But they are welcome to do interviews with the participants during the breaks and before and after. In roundtables like this, it's best if everyone has the opportunity to speak openly and honestly. And, in this case, there are members of the public who aren't necessarily looking to be on television."

Moreover, Ms. Dickie declined to name the roundtable's advisory group members, explaining "It's policy not to do that. The delegates aren't necessarily always willing to have their names released to the media." Nor would Ms. Dickie disclose the agendas for future roundtable discussions - even though they have already been set. And that has some activists wondering just how committed the government is to acting on the recommendation of that roundtable.