EDITORIAL & OPINION — GUEST COLUMN — A closer look at mining

Last month, I participated in the Mine Tour Program for Members of Parliament, organized by Mining Works for Canada. Through the program, I travelled to Timmins and spent an entire day touring the underground and surface operations at Placer Dome’s Dome mine. The tour was an unforgettable experience and I encourage all of my colleagues on Parliament Hill who have never visited an operating mine to do so.

To say I was impressed by what I saw at the Dome mine would be an understatement. It would be more accurate to say I left Timmins with a new perspective, a greater understanding and a sense of urgency. In Timmins, I not only saw hundreds of highly skilled employees operating leading-edge technology; I learned some staggering economic facts that have changed me from being a passive supporter to an active campaigner for one of Canada’s most vital industries. For instance:

* In 1996, companies in the Canadian mineral and metal processing sector directly employed 368,00 people and indirectly employed hundreds of thousands more.

* For every job created in the mining industry, another job is indirectly created in the Canadian economy.

* Overall, more than 1 million Canadian jobs depend on the performance of the metals, minerals and petroleum sector.

* Mining is a productive industry, almost twice as productive as the average business sector. This enhanced productivity is a major factor in determining the national standard of living.

I always knew the Canadian mining industry made an important contribution to Canada’s economic health. However, I didn’t understand the size of that contribution until I saw the industry operating first-hand. I am now keenly aware that the mining industry is a highly progressive, environmentally sustainable industry that injects billions of dollars into the Canadian economy each year, and I am determined to share my new insight with as many people on Parliament Hill as I can.

I am committed to doing what I can to help the Canadian mining industry grow and prosper, but I cannot do it alone. As members of the industry, you too must help spread the word. Whenever you have the opportunity, share a few facts like the ones listed above with people who are not connected to the mining industry. It is especially important that you continue to invite policy-makers and senior government officials to explore mining projects and communities. Educational material is important, but it is no substitute for first-hand experience.

The author is the Liberal member of Parliament for Whitby-Ajax. She wrote the following article at the request of Mining Works for Canada, an organization designed to increase awareness of the importance of mining in this country.