COMMENTARY — Environmental report championed

One month ago, Gordon Kirkby, member of Parliament for Prince Albert-Churchill River and chairman of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, used this column to discuss the committee’s interim report, Streamlining Environmental Regulation for Mining.

The document had been much-anticipated by members of the mining industry, and indeed was welcomed by them. Mr. Kirkby and his committee have put forward 15 sensible recommendations that, if implemented, will help restore the Canadian mining sector’s competitive position without lessening strict environmental standards. These recommendations address concerns the industry has been expressing to government for years, including regulatory duplication and overlap, the length of approval processes, the inconsistent application of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ no-net-loss policy, and the lack of workable agreements between provincial and federal agencies.

It is encouraging that the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, upon reviewing the document, agreed with the recommendations for the industry. It is equally encouraging that the report is supported unanimously by the all-party committee.

Excessive industry optimism, however, must be tempered. About a year ago, the Standing Committee on Natural Resources published a report, Lifting Canadian Mining Off the Rocks, which made similar, worthy recommendations to government — recommendations that might have served to create a better environment for the mining industry in Canada. None of the recommendations was acted upon, however, and the report was largely ignored.

There is no doubt the committee is both informed and committed. Last year’s chairman, Robert Nault, recommended sensible courses of action. Since Mr. Kirkby has assumed the mantle of responsibility, he too has performed admirably in his analysis of the current state of the mining industry in Canada. The implementation of his recommendations could ensure the industry’s strength in the years to come.

As chairman of a standing committee, Mr. Kirkby has fulfilled his primary duty by informing his government. Whether the government acts upon the recommendations has yet to be seen.

— The author is the president of the Mining Association of Canada. He has written the preceding at the request of “Keep Mining In Canada,” a grassroots campaign designed to increase awareness of the importance of mining in this country.