LETTER TO THE EDITOR — Streamlining works for industry

I feel I must respond to the article “Ontario’s regulatory process a source of frustration for miners,” (T.N.M., May 12/97).

The source for this excerpted material was a report entitled “The Economic and Fiscal Contribution of the Mining Industry in Ontario,” which was produced for the Mining Association of Ontario in October 1996. I recognize that a weekly paper does not have the same sense of urgency as a daily publication, but I doubt many people would consider something six months old as recent, as you state.

While you accurately reprinted the excerpted passage, your selective editing missed one of the main conclusions of the study. The current provincial government has taken a number of actions to reduce red tape, streamline the regulatory process and make progress at getting the province’s books in order. The government and the ministry of northern development and mines, under the leadership of minister Chris Hodgson, has held the line on increasing industry-related fees and Ontario Hydro rates while making headway in improving the workers’ compensation system in this province. The streamlining of Ontario’s regulatory system is helping to make this vital industry more competitive.

Patrick Reid, President

Ontario Mining Association