A better informed public can better influence governments

This is the first of a regular monthly column from the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.

The role of keeping industry informed of emerging legislation and key political developments has never been as important as it is today. Governments are increasingly looking to industry and the public for input before policies and regulations affecting us are put into effect. That is why I welcome the opportunity to contribute a monthly column to The Northern Miner as a spokesman for the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada. I believe that this form of communication on a regular basis will provide an important service to the Canadian mineral industry.

For some time now, governments have found themselves contending with a combination of forces, not all of them pushing in the same direction. These forces fall into four categories: an increasing complexity of issues, a tightening of the public purse, a more aware and knowledgeable society and a rapidly advancing communication technology. Speed and ease of electronic communication, in the last category, have enhanced the role of the news media with the result that there is a constant requirement for governments to justify their decisions and actions.

As a result, governments’ traditional roles of regulator and ultimate authority are giving way to a more open, co-operative one in which it is recognized that better results can be achieved through willing compliance and less intervention. While an open and co-operative approach to governing is desirable, it has been accompanied by record levels of new statutes and regulations from our legislators.

These trends have brought about changes in the character of industry associations. Greater emphasis is now placed on their role as industry-government intermediaries. Members and governments look to associations to play more of a leading role in gathering and communicating information. As well, associations are beginning to serve as resource centres and consulting arms of the industry.

The PDAC is an example of this shift. The association has undergone a rather remarkable evolution over the last decade — a relatively short period of its history. Gone is the old “P & D” which many saw as fundamentally an Ontario organization, perhaps best characterized by the annual “PDA Convention.”

There may be a tear or two for its passing, but it is a positive change and one that is in tune with the burgeoning needs and the changing face of our industry.

The news, information and comment that we shall bring to you through this column will at times be national in flavor and significance and at other times will reflect individual issues or events affecting particular parts of the country. The content will cover a wide range of topical issues, including exploration and mining regulations, environmental matters, finance, securities, taxation, land-use, Native land claims, geological surveys, geoscience information, education, R & D, exploration statistics, and more. All of these issues, of course, reflect the national mandate and range of acti vities of the PDAC of today.

The 1990s will require unprecedented levels of co-operation among governments, industry, and the public. Within the industry there will be a need for coherence and solidarity, best achieved by being aware of what is happening and keeping in touch with the issues.

Communication is the key. Its value is highest when it flows two ways. We urge you to pick up the phone or put pen to paper and let us know your views on the issues we present.003 Anthony Andrews is the managing director of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.