COMMENTARY — Adopt-an-MP

Warren Holmes is president and general manager of Falconbridge’s Canadian nickel operations and former president of the Ontario Mining Association. He has written this article at the request of Keep Mining In Canada, a grassroots campaign designed to increase awareness of the importance of mining in this country.

It is the responsibility of the Canadian mining industry to educate government officials about issues affecting our livelihood. Given accurate and timely information, the government is in a better position to support the need for change. On this front, industry groups such as the Mining Association of Canada, the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, and Keep Mining In Canada have been outspoken industry advocates.

The industry is really a collection of individuals, each of whom can play a part in informing officials about modern mining, even allowing them a first-hand glimpse into it. For instance, individuals in the industry can participate in Keep Mining In Canada’s Adopt-an-MP program, whereby members of the industry or mining communities “adopt” an urban member of Parliament.

Through this relationship, the MP is given regular updates on issues facing the industry while maintaining a personal mining contact. It is an easy way of communicating issues to federal representatives. I can attest to this, as I have “adopted” Karen Kraft Sloan, MP for York-Simcoe in Ontario and a key member of the Environment Committee.

To date, 45 people have stepped forward to participate in the adopt-an-MP program, and the potential exists for more to do so. Imagine 90 members of the industry “adopting” 90 urban MPs, many of whom have never seen a mine.

Suddenly these MPs get a first-hand glimpse of the importance of mining to Canada and Canadians. They learn that the industry in this country is worth $23 billion per year and employs more than 340,000. They learn that our industry is constantly evolving in terms of technological development and environmental practices.

What is important is that these MPs will learn about the industry through personal contact with the people working in it. Ultimately, these politicians will gain a deeper understanding of the issues affecting mining and what must be done to resolve them.

Initiatives such as the adopt-an-MP program give us a chance, as individuals, to influence the government and the public. Such opportunities are an important aspect of becoming a respected industry, as well as setting an example of leadership for mining industries the world over.