Survey Says Quarter Of Canadians Are Strong Supporters Of Mining

An Angus Reid survey has found that 25% of Canadians are strong supporters of mining while 14% say they are anti-mining.

The survey, conducted on behalf of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), also found that those who were pro-mining were the most informed about the industry.

“This was somewhat of a surprise to our members,” said PDAC president Jon Baird in a statement.

Baird said that PDAC members who live in big urban centres are sensitive to mining detractors, many of whom have no direct experience with the industry.

“Most mining activity takes place in remote corners of the country,” Baird pointed out.

Another 25% of the population defined themselves as “unconcerned” — they don’t care about issues related to mining or exploration, whether economic, environmental or otherwise.

But 36% of Canadians were put in the “swing vote” category — they see merit in the arguments of both the pro and anti-mining camps.

The survey also found that 96% of Canadians agree that mining is important or very important to the economy, while 4% say mining is not important.

A quarter of respondents had invested in exploration, mining or oil and gas stocks.

Only about 11% of respondents were aware that Ontario is the most explored province.

Two-thirds support sharing tax revenue from mining with First Nations people.

The survey also asked people what they thought of Ontario’s proposed Bill 191, the Far North Act, which proposes to protect 50% of northern Ontario from development, prohibiting mining and exploration there.

About 56% of respondents say the land should be evaluated for its mining potential before it’s set aside as protected land.

The survey was conducted in June and has a margin of error of 1.9% 19 times out of 20.

It’s the first time the PDAC has commissioned a survey of this magnitude. The association’s public affairs committee will be using the results to plan future strategies. The PDAC has 6,000 members and 950 corporate members involved in exploration, discovery and development of new mines and new wealth in Canada and around the world.