ST. ANDREWS — Federal, provincial and territorial
mines ministers from across the country gathered today for the 62nd Annual
Mines Ministers' Conference in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. At the conference,
they agreed that vulnerable mining communities are a priority and have instructed
their officials to work together to develop a pan-Canadian cooperative strategy
to maintain the viability of these communities.
The conference provided an opportunity for discussing some of the concerns
specific to the sustainable development of these communities by identifying
responsible ways of taking environmental, social and economic issues into consideration,
while respecting the powers and responsibilities of governments.
The ministers issued the following statement: "Not only are mining products
essential to the quality of life of all Canadians, but mining and associated
primary and secondary processing activities constitute the economic engine
of many centres, particularly certain Aboriginal, northern and remote communities.
Industry stakeholders and communities have expressed concern about the long-term
future of a number of mining communities. We recognize their concerns and agree
that addressing the needs of these communities is a priority."
Ministers also discussed a number of potential ways to maintain the viability
of these communities whose economic life depends heavily on exploration initiatives
as well as on the treatment or processing of mining products. For example,
improved tax treatment for exploration investments, the introduction of the
Cooperative Geological Mapping Strategies across Canada, Aboriginal engagement,
alternative processing technologies, deep mining technologies, access to recyclable
materials and promotion of Canadian mining products internationally.
The purpose of the one day event was to engage industry representatives, stakeholders
and governments to take stock of and examine the state of the minerals and
metals industry and to ensure that the Canadian economy maximizes benefits,
in terms of economic growth and regional development, from the diversity of
metals and minerals found in its provinces and territories.
A high-resolution photo of the co-chairs at the conference is available in
the NRCan News Room at http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/index_e.php.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Mining ministers from across Canada meeting at their 62nd Annual
Conference in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, have agreed to work together to cooperate
on mining communities. The federal, provincial and territorial ministers discussed
strategies for ensuring the viability of mining communities across Canada,
particularly those in northern and remote areas.
For more information, media may contact:
Ghyslain Charron
Tom Ormsby
Media Relations
Director of Communications
Natural Resources Canada
Office of the Minister
Ottawa
Natural Resources Canada
(613) 992-4447
Ottawa
(613) 996-2007
Brent Roy
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources
Government of New Brunswick
Fredericton
(506) 453-2614
