Commentary — Following the leaders

Jon Baird is managing director of the Canadian Association of Mining Equipment & Services for Export and chairman of the co-ordinating committee of Keep Mining In Canada, a grassroots campaign designed to increase awareness of the importance of mining in this country.

As October marks the fourth anniversary of the election of the federal Liberal government, Prime Minister Jean Chretien will almost certainly call an election this year. In anticipation of such an event, the federal political parties are already beginning to design their election platforms.

Keep Mining In Canada is also planning for the election. For 1997, we have created a special campaign designed to ensure that party platforms recognize the importance of mining and contain policies that support mining communities and the industry.

In the last election, Keep Mining In Canada was visible at campaign stops in mining communities. During this year’s campaign, Keep Mining In Canada wants to increase dramatically its visibility and, towards that end, has created a “Follow the Leaders Campaign.” In the weeks preceding and throughout the election, Keep Mining In Canada will track the movements of party leaders and senior cabinet ministers and record the mining-related promises they make. We will keep mining communities informed through our newsletter, Campaign Update. Keep Mining In Canada will also attempt to organize one mining event — possibly centred around a mine, mill or smelter — for each of the campaigning party leaders.

During the past two years, Keep Mining In Canada has developed many allies within each major political party. It is vital that we build new allies in 1997 and help them to influence the election platforms of their parties.

To increase our contact with members of Parliament, our Lobby Day may take a slightly new format in 1997. We are planning a series of “Special Regional Election Lobby Days” in the months leading up to, and following, the election. During each Regional Lobby Day, mining delegates will spread the campaign message, inform our policy-makers of developments in the mining industry and press for meaningful election platforms.

The success of Keep Mining In Canada speaks for itself. But for this success to continue, it is imperative that the campaign receive more financial support from the grassroots level. We can only plan for the future when we have secured financing, meaning that the financial sector, mining communities, mining associations, mining suppliers and mining companies need to increase their commitment.