The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario), on behalf of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, delivered remarks today during the 2014 Northwind Mining Invitational Forum.
Minister Goodyear underscored the Government of Canada’s ongoing efforts both nationally and internationally to improve the viability and long-term competitiveness of Canada’s mining sector. The Minister highlighted the Government’s commitment to responsibly developing Canada’s natural resources while engaging with Aboriginal communities in order to maximize their participation and benefits.
The Minister highlighted how the Government is supporting the industry with initiatives such as a $100-million commitment over the next seven years for the Geo-Mapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) plan to help exploration companies find deposits and create jobs; extending the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit in Economic Action Plan 2014, which has helped junior exploration companies raise $5 billion in capital; and the Green Mining Initiative, which helps reduce the environmental impacts of mining through footprint reduction, innovation in waste management, mine closure and rehabilitation, as well as providing ecosystem risk management.
The Government of Canada is committed to working with the industry to attract investment, support innovation, open new markets and improve the regulatory system for major mining projects to maintain Canada’s competitiveness and position as a global mining leader.
Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)
Alexandra Lemieux
Press Secretary
Office of Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources
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