The Mining Association of British Columbia, the Coal Association of Canada, and the British Columbia & Yukon Chamber of Mines are all making submissions to a commission now examining methods to settle cases where compensation is being sought as a result of government reducing or taking back mining or logging rights.
The one-man commission by Richard Schwindt studies “fairer, less confrontational” methods for settling compensation that would “balance the public interest with the interests of the holders of resource interests.” Tom Waterland, president of the province’s mining association, said separating the people of British Columbia into various “publics” and then promoting conflicts among these groups “is a very divisive tactic.” Waterland said the public includes the holders of mineral rights and the many thousands of people who work in, depend on, and benefit from the minerals industry.
“To set the people of B.C. against one another as separate publics is not appropriate — even under the guise of `preserving’ wilderness or environmental protection,” he added.
The report is expected by the end of June, and the government has stated it intends to act quickly on the report’s recommendations.
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