NDP Q&A on mining in Canada

With Canadians looking ahead to a federal election on Oct. 19, The Northern Miner asked mining-related questions to the leaders of the four major political parties running across Canada. Last week, we published the answers from the Liberal Party of Canada leader Justin Trudeau and Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May and their parties. This week we present the answers from New Democratic Party of Canada leader Tom Mulcair and his party (The Conservative Party of Canada did not respond.).

The Northern Miner: In recent years the federal government has streamlined environmental permitting for miners by trying to avoid duplicating provincial efforts. Do you support this approach? Does the federal government have a unique role to play in avoiding catastrophic tailings dam failures such as the one we saw at Mount Polley in B.C. in 2014?

Tom Mulcair/New Democratic Party: Mining and mineral processing employs 380,000 people in this country — those are 380,000 good-paying, middle-class jobs. Not only that, it has contributed more than $70 billion in taxes and royalties to federal and provincial governments over the last decade alone. We need a robust and complete environmental assessment that will protect the environment, while helping important mining projects acquire a social licence to proceed.

We are concerned with the divisive approach that Conservatives have taken to alter environmental assessment process without adequate consultation or respect for the rights of First Nations. Streamlining processes and working collaboratively with provinces can be worthy goals, but abdicating federal responsibilities to protect the public and the environment are not acceptable and will hurt the industry’s reputation.

The NDP understand that mining done within a sustainable development framework is a win-win for the economy, environment, First Nations and our communities.

TNM: The June 2014 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of Tsilhqot’in Nation vs. British Columbia remakes the regulatory environment in B.C., and has ramifications across Canada where aboriginal land claims are unsettled. In short, for new mine development, the “duty to consult” becomes a “requirement for consent.” Going forward, how should this landmark decision affect the federal government’s regulation of mining projects?

NDP: The fact is, in the 21st century, mining projects simply won’t move forward without meaningful consultation and accommodation of First Nations. The Conservatives’ environmental assessment changes are sidelining community and First Nations groups, leading to more court challenges, and costing mining companies and taxpayers millions of dollars.

The federal government will not win court battles fighting First Nations rights, and we need a new approach. The Conservative approach has been to shut out community voices, and it fails to fulfill the Crown’s obligation to consult and accommodate Aboriginal and treaty rights in the course of reviewing development proposals.

For important mining projects to proceed, the federal government needs to take more responsibility for the Crown’s duty to consult. Some provinces have shown leadership and have pursued partnerships with First Nations, including sharing resource royalties.

We applaud provincial initiatives such as Quebec’s Paix des Braves agreement providing for the sharing of revenues with the Grand Council of the Crees and providing employment opportunities for the local Cree people.

TNM: What is the proper role of the federal government in supporting mining-related infrastructure, geological research and job-training in remote parts of Canada, such as the Arctic?

NDP: The NDP will make it a priority to invest in northern roads, bridges and ports, which will be vital for northern and Arctic mining projects to safely and cost-effectively get their products to global markets.

TNM: Do you support maintaining current corporate tax rates and personal tax rates relating to mining investments, and extending the 15% Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (i.e., flow-through tax credit)?

NDP: The NDP has long supported the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit, and we will ensure that it remains in place in the years to come. An NDP government will give junior mining companies more certainty by extending the credit for multiple years, instead of the Conservative approach of waiting until the last minute every year before giving mining companies the certainty they need to make meaningful investments in mining exploration.

TNM: Over the past decade, Canadian resource companies have received criticism of their activities overseas. The federal government has responded with the creation of the Office of the Extractive Sector Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Counsellor, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act and the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act. Are these steps enough?

NDP: New Democrats believe in taking leadership to end the trade of conflict minerals, which have financed decades of war and violence against civilians. We believe that the Government of Canada, in cooperation with key stakeholders, should adopt an effective, legal corporate accountability framework for Canadian companies operating abroad, including clear standards with robust sanctions for non-compliance.

We need stronger oversight and promotion of high CSR standards to ensure that Canadian mining companies maintain Canada’s reputation abroad and respect human rights.

— For more information on the NDP platform, please visit www.ndp.ca.