Little for mining in Senate deal

A recent deal on Senate reform negotiated by nine provincial premiers would have little effect on mining if it is ratified later this month, say industry representatives.

The new Senate, made up of an equal number of senators from each province, would be able to defeat legislation involving natural resources taxation policy with a mere 50% majority. This provision would be included mainly to prevent the federal government from re-introducing a 1970s-style national energy program without some input from the provinces, observers say.

“Basically, it recognizes the reality that anything the federal government does to affect revenue from natural resources is a matter of concern to the provinces,” says George Miller, president of The Mining Association of Canada.