Extractive Sector Stakeholders' Perspectives of the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act (ESTMA)^*

Abstract

This commentary considers stakeholder perspectives of Canada's Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act (ESTMA). In 2015, ESTMA was enacted under Canada's corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy as a mandatory CSR reporting initiative requiring the financial disclosure of all payments relating to the commercial development of oil, gas, or minerals around the globe. Despite ESTMA's intended purpose to improve transparency and deter corruption within the global extractive sector, little remains known about the acceptance of this mandatory CSR initiative by extractive sector stakeholders. Success of this government initiative likely hinges upon stakeholder acceptance of ESTMA. This study reports the results of a survey of industry stakeholders, including managers, practitioners, and academics, on whether ESTMA positively or negatively affects transparency, financial performance, reputation, decision making, and the ability of firms to do business abroad. Findings indicate stakeholders in Canada believe ESTMA has improved transparency and has had a positive effect on the reputation of Canadian firms in the extractive sector with minimal costs to financial performance, changes to decision making, or effect on ability to conduct business abroad. Using a Canadian context, the findings provide important insights for regulators and practitioners, among other stakeholders, to better understand the effects of mandatory CSR initiatives, as well as the use of legislated financial disclosures as a CSR mechanism.