COMMENTARY — Looking back — and ahead

Gisele Jacob is vice-president of public affairs at the Mining Association of Canada. She has written this article at the request of “Keep Mining in Canada,” a grassroots campaign designed to increase awareness of the importance of mining in this country.

As Keep Mining in Canada enters its fourth year, we pause to take stock of the campaign’s impact, and to plan our next moves to improve the investment climate for mining in Canada. The campaign’s strength is directly attributable to the people across Canada who have joined forces to make their voices heard in their companies and their communities, and with their local and federal members of parliament (MPs). Together, mining people — including our six outstanding “ambassadors,” mining associations, mayors of mining towns, mining suppliers and customers — are delivering the message that, by focusing on the issues spelled out in our 12-point plan, industry and the government can work together to create a more predictable and hospitable climate for mining in Canada.

In 1996, the campaign got off to a flying start with the “Search for the New Faces of Mining.” Many of the new faces chosen by our four judges were featured in our special 32-page report in The Globe and Mail as real-life examples of the industry’s commitment to environmental protection and use of advanced technologies. On the same theme, our national kids’ poster contest attracted more than 600 finalists and won positive media coverage across Canada. Our new faces and a sample of the kids’ posters are featured in our huge display, which has now toured the country.

All year, MPs have been kept informed about key campaign issues via our newsletter, Mining Caucus Update. A total of 50 MPs have been “adopted” by mining people and mayors as part of our Adopt-an-Urban MP program, and now have first-hand contact with mining people. Add to that number the 24 MPs who took advantage of the tours we organized to four mine sites. The MPs reported being surprised and impressed by the scale of mining operations, the extent of environmental protection and the high-tech nature of mining today.

This year’s activities culminated in a successful Lobby Day in Ottawa. In groups of two or three, 75 delegates, representing the gamut of mining interests in Canada, met with 120 MPs and their staff over the course of a busy day. The Globe and Mail, The Financial Post and CBC Newsworld reported the event in the most positive terms. At the evening reception, the room overflowed with twice the anticipated number of guests, while Natural Resources Minister Anne McLellan heralded her new Minerals and Metals Policy and Human Resources Minister Pierre Pettigrew announced renewed funding for the Mining Industry Training and Adjustment Council (MITAC).

We have Ottawa’s ear. We are on-track. In 1997, we will build on our considerable momentum to ensure that mining remains a cornerstone of the Canadian economy well into the 21st century.