LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Applicant twice denied Ontario

My application for an Ontario Prospectors Assistance Program grant was made in 1991 and 1992 and for both years turned down. In this regard I am compelled to condemn the approval for application for this grant.

I am aware of bankers, storekeepers, gravel operators, electricians and others who have successfully obtained this grant. As this grant is open to all, I have no objection to this; however, the person with the best qualifications and experience for the work should be given some sort of preference.

I have more than 40 years prospecting experience and am a registered professional engineer in Ontario. I am registered as a certified prospector with the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada and I have had a permanent Ontario prospector’s licence since 1956. I have worked in the prospecting field all my life and continue to do so and enjoy good health and I therefore believe I am well qualified to receive such a grant. The reasons for refusal are in my mind stupid. It is the judgment one would expect from a person with insufficient experience or knowledge of the industry and its complexities.

Some of your readers may think my comments are “sour grapes” but this is far from the case. I prospected on my own before without the grant and I shall continue to follow my chosen profession despite all adverse present conditions.

Carl Huston

Red Lake, Ont.