Premier Clark promises certainty, efficiency at AME BC luncheon

Vancouver – British Columbia Premier Christy Clark highlighted a reduced backlog and improved conditions for the mineral industry at today’s AME BC Roundup luncheon.

The Premier’s energized speech touched on the need for government to get out of the way and allow the industry to prosper, the importance of mining in creating jobs, and the necessity for government to invest in infrastructure and skills training.

“I am in this with you, I am in this with you all the way because this industry makes a difference,” Clark said to the industry brass in attendance.

Clark pointed to the reduction in the notice of work applications backlog as a clear example of progress, achieved thanks to a $24-million capital infusion. In four months the government has reduced the backlog from 229 applications pending to 85, well on the way to its 12-month target of an 80% reduction to 46 pending. Once the backlog is cleared the government will stick to a 60-day turnaround Clark said.

“We have to get rid of backlog,” Clark said, “We can’t stand in the way of development.”

The Premier also said the new agreement with the Kaska Dena First Nations will provide greater certainty and stability for resource development. The Dease-Liard Sustainable Resource Management Plan, 10 years in the making, covers 2.3 million ha. of crown land in northern B.C. and establishes clear ground rules for development in the region. The plan also includes a government-to-government strategic land use agreement for 7.4 million ha. of land in Kaska Dena traditional territory outside the new plan area.

Premier Clark’s enthusiastic trumpeting of current reforms and future plans were somewhat tempered by the Fraser Institute’s vp of Research Fred McMahon, who spoke immediately following the Premier. McMahon released some preliminary 2012 data from the Fraser Institute’s annual mining survey, showing that while the province has improved by two spots in the overall rankings, it is still only seen as the 36th best jurisdiction in which to work.

McMahon pointed to the $30-million settlement with Boss Power last year as a example of effective expropriation compensation, while reduced wait times for approvals and greater discretion of what needs work permits as two examples of making regulations more efficient, all of which helped boost the overall perception of B.C. as a mining destination.

On a national level B.C. ranks among the worst jurisdictions, with Alberta number one, Quebec number four, and Manitoba and Saskatchewan both in the top ten out of all the global jurisdictions the survey covers. With B.C. at 36th overall, it is unsurprising that the province ranks among the worst nationally in a number of subcategories in the study including hostility to mining, uncertainty in enforcement and interpretations, land claims, labour regulations, and infrastructure.

Premier Clark, however, reminded the audience that while it was only a few months ago that Copper Mountain opened – the first major metals mine in B.C. to open since 1998 – she remains committed to helping eight more open by 2015. Given the strong support the current government is giving the industry, and the rich geological endowment of the province, B.C. may yet become that safe harbour for investors and the mining industry that the Premier says she is committed to creating.