B.C. government’s park plan worries industry

The British Columbia government’s decision to create 23 new parks and protected areas in the lower mainland is causing concern concern in the province’s mining industry.

“We are deeply concerned the government will not fulfil its commitment to limit land alienation to 12% of the province as a whole,” says Gary Livingstone, president of the Mining Association of British Columbia.

If the 12% target is exceeded, investors will lose confidence in the province as a place to explore for minerals, he warns.

“The losses for B.C. would be significant — hundreds of millions in lost investment and tax revenues and thousands of high-paying jobs.” The new parks and protected areas, announced in October by Premier Glen Clark, constitute 136,000 ha. No mining, logging, hydroelectric or oil-and-gas development can occur in those areas.

Since 1991, twice as many mines have closed as have opened in Canada’s westernmost province, says Livingstone, who adds that, over the next 10 years, eight mines are expected to close. At present, only three mines are under development.

Since 1992, when the government committed itself to setting aside 12% of the province as parkland, more than 225 new parks have been created. Currently, 9.3%, or some 9 million ha, is protected from development.