TORONTO: The widely held stereotype of Canadians being a polite, respectful and orderly bunch can be quickly shattered by looking at the country's long history of acrimonious labor disputes in the mining sector.

Extracting Canada's rich bounty of mineral resources is only possible by employing a work force that is organized and largely unionized, setting the stage for heated confrontations that frequently result in work stoppages and the occasional picket line scuffle.

To resolve differences, negotiators must get to know one another, understand each other's motives and limits, and build credibility within a long-term relationship. But a dramatic change in the corporate landscape over the past few years has meant rebuilding these partnerships.

Much of Canada's big mining operations are now under foreign ownership. Xstrata Plc, Vale and Rio Tinto have replaced names such as Falconbridge Ltd., Inco Ltd. and Alcan Inc. that were around for generations. With global multinationals now in...