Premier Clark promises certainty, efficiency in BC

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark highlighted a reduced permitting backlog and improved conditions for the mineral industry at AME BC’s Jan. 25 Roundup luncheon.

The premier’s energized speech touched on the need for government to get out of the way and allow the industry to prosper, the importance of mining in creating jobs, and the necessity for government to invest in infrastructure and skills training.

“I am in this with you, I am in this with you all the way because this industry makes a difference,” Clark said to the industry brass in attendance.

Clark pointed to the reduction in the notice of work applications backlog as an example of progress, achieved thanks to a $24-million capital infusion. In four months the government has reduced the backlog of pending applications to 85 from 229, well on the way to its 12-month target of an 80% reduction to 46 pending. Once the backlog is cleared, the government will stick to a 60-day turnaround, she said.

“We have to get rid of backlog,” Clark said. “We can’t stand in the way of development.”

The premier also said the new agreement with the Kaska Dena First Nations will provide greater certainty and stability for resource development. The Dease-Liard Sustainable Resource Management Plan, 10 years in the making, covers 2.3 million hectares of crown land in northern B.C. and establishes ground rules for development in the region. The plan also includes a government-to-government strategic land-use agreement for 7.4 million hectares of land in Kaska Dena traditional territory outside the new plan area.

Premier Clark’s message was tempered by the Fraser Institute’s vice-president of research Fred McMahon, who spoke right after the premier. He released some preliminary 2012 data from the institute’s annual mining survey, showing that while the province has improved by two spots in the overall rankings, it is still only seen as the 36th best jurisdiction in which to work.

McMahon pointed to the $30-million settlement with Boss Power (BPU-V) last year as a example of effective expropriation compensation, while reduced wait times for approvals and greater discretion of what needs work permits as two examples of making regulations more efficient, all of which helped boost the overall perception of B.C. as a mining destination.

Wihing Canada, B.C. ranks among the worst jurisdictions, with Alberta the best, Quebec number four, and Manitoba and Saskatchewan both in the top ten out of all the global jurisdictions the survey covers.

Premier Clark, however, reminded the audience that while it was only a few months ago that Copper Mountain opened – the first major metals mine in B.C. to open since 1998 – she remains committed to helping eight more open by 2015. Given the strong support the current government is giving the industry, and the rich geological endowment of the province, B.C. may yet become that safe harbour for investors and the mining industry that the premier says she is committed to creating.