EDITORIAL PAGE Building on resources

Those who would have us abandon our resource-based economy would do well to study the most recent figures on the contribution resources make.

Minerals, energy and forestry combined account for more than 15% of Canada’s gross domestic product and about 45% of all exports.

Striving to diversify our economy is a sound strategy, but those efforts are only possible because of the success of our existing resource sector. Developing our natural resources has, to a large extent, generated the prosperity we enjoy today and allowed us the luxury of finding the best way to broaden our economic base.

So by all means back reasonable efforts to strengthen our manufacturing base and investigate “high tech” opportunities. But don’t reject the resource sector. Build on it.