Natural Resources
September 1, 2009
Canada�s Mines Ministers Discuss a
Sustainable Recovery for the Mining Sector
Mines Ministers from across Canada
concluded two days of discussions today in St. John�s at
their annual conference hosted by the Honourable Kathy
Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources for
Newfoundland and Labrador. The ministers discussed
global economic developments, their impacts on the
mining sector and how to best position the country and
industry to capitalize on a sustainable economic
recovery.
"Our country is fortunate to have vast
mineral and abundant energy resources that can be
developed to create jobs and prosperity across Canada,"
said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada�s Minister of
Natural Resources. "But to maintain this advantage and
position ourselves to fully benefit from the economic
recovery, we must continue to be at the forefront in
developing and deploying new technologies, in advancing
research and development and innovation, and in
developing solutions to a variety of regulatory, social
and environmental challenges."
The ministers moved forward on key
issues related to the long-term success of the sector,
in particular: the current investment climate, social
responsibility, regulatory performance, and research and
innovation.
"As provincial and territorial
governments, we are working to ensure we continue to
have a competitive business climate that promotes and
fosters investment and exploration in our areas as these
markets rebound," said Minister Dunderdale. "We must
focus on streamlining governmental regulatory processes,
addressing current and evolving issues and pursuing
innovation so that we can maintain a strong and
competitive mining industry in Canada that is responsive
to global commodity demands."
Ministers agreed to endorse the
collaborative efforts aimed at leveraging Canada�s
comparative advantage in an internationally competitive
mining industry.
The ministers identified regulatory
restructuring as the top priority to position Canada for
the recovery. This will significantly enhance the
certainty, accountability and effectiveness of Canada�s
regulatory system.
The ministers agreed to:
Continue to work with
stakeholders on opportunities to improve
environmental and social performance. The ministers
recognized that continued performance improvement
and communicating successes are essential for the
industry to maintain a social licence to operate.
The ministers also agreed to release the report from
the Social Licence Task Team.
Drive action to improve Canada�s
regulatory system to support the competitiveness and
sustained growth of mining industry. Ministers
expressed strong support for a
one-project/one-assessment approach for the
environmental assessment process. They tasked senior
officials to work with their counterparts
responsible for environmental assessment and related
regulatory approvals on fundamentally improving
performance, and report back at EMMC 2010.
Reaffirm their support for the
continued work of the National Orphaned and
Abandoned Mines Initiative. The ministers agreed to
release the 2002�2008 NOAMI Performance Report.
Recognize the Green Mining
Initiative as an example of a pan-Canadian
collaborative effort to improve the mining sector�s
environmental performance and create green
technology opportunities for Canadian businesses.
Support the continued work of the
Canadian Mining Innovation Council, which represents
an opportunity for governments and industry to
promote innovation and the development of the highly
qualified people needed to ensure the sector�s
long-term competitiveness and responsibility.
The mines ministers also accepted the
invitation from Minister Simard to convene in September,
2010, in Quebec City for the 2010 Energy and Mines
Ministers� Conference.
The following media backgrounder is
available at
www.nrcan.gc.ca/media - 2009 Mines Ministers
Conference, Regulatory Restructuring in the Resources
Sector
- 30 -
Photo: The 2009 Energy and
Mines Ministers� Conference is being held in St. John�s. Federal,
provincial and territorial ministers attending
the two-day conference are (from l-r): Peter
Taptuna, Minister of Mines, Economic Development
and Transportation, Nunavut; Richard E. Brown,
Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry,
Prince Edward Island; Mel Knight, Energy
Minister, Alberta; Jim Rondeau, Minister of
Science, Technology, Energy and Mines, Manitoba;
Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern
Development, Mines and Forestry, Ontario; John
MacDonell, Minister of Natural Resources, Nova
Scotia; Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural
Resources Canada; Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of
Natural Resources, Newfoundland and Labrador;
Wally Stiles, Minister of Natural Resources, New
Brunswick; Jack Keir, Minister of Energy, New
Brunswick; Bill Estabrooks, Minister of Energy,
Nova Scotia; Bill Boyd, Minister of Energy and
Resources, Saskatchewan; Robert McLeod, Minister
of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Northwest
Territories, and Serge Simard, Minister for
Natural Resources, Quebec. The meetings conclude
today (Tuesday). Media contacts:
Jocelyne Turner
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007 |
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-5282, 709-690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca |
2009 09 01
3:20 p.m.
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