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Local named to Mining Jobs Task Force
Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister and Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall has established a B.C. Mining Jobs Task Force that will review exploration and mining in the province and find ways to strengthen this important industry.
“Over the coming months, the B.C. Mining Jobs Task Force will work with First Nations, the mining industry and communities to develop recommendations on possible actions government could take to bring more certainty to the mining sector and create good jobs for people today, tomorrow and beyond,” said Mungall. “One of our goals with this review is to find ways to ensure mines in B.C. remain viable when commodity prices fluctuate, so that people can keep working and communities can thrive.”
The 12-member task force will include representatives from industry, First Nations, (including Ktunaxa Nation representation), municipal government, an environmental non-governmental organization, labour, post-secondary/training and the financial sector. The task force will submit its final report, including recommendations for legislative and/or regulatory amendments to the minister by Nov. 21, 2018.
Mungall announced the Mining Jobs Task Force in conjunction with Mining Day events at the Legislature. Organized by the Mining Association of BC (MABC), the annual Mining Day in Victoria brings together 40 delegates from major mining companies, proponents and supplier companies, and provides an opportunity for industry and government to discuss the importance of the sector, while identifying responsible opportunities for growth.
“We look forward to working with the government, First Nations and other important stakeholders on the task force to ensure our industry is globally competitive and well positioned to sustain the mining jobs of today and, importantly, create the mining jobs of tomorrow,” said Bryan Cox, president and CEO of MABC. “A strong and thriving B.C. mining industry can continue to play a pivotal leadership role in Canada’s transition to a clean tech, lower-carbon future, for the benefit of B.C. families and workers.”
“We fully support the provincial government’s commitment to the future of mining in British Columbia and the employment it supports,” said Michelle Laurie from the United Steelworkers. “The Mining Jobs Task Force will help government find ways to strengthen the sector, so it’s able to sustain good, accessible jobs and training opportunities for British Columbians, workers and their families throughout the province.”
At today’s announcement, Mungall also highlighted the B.C. mining flow-through share tax credit, which was extended in last week’s budget. The previous tax credit expired Dec. 31, 2017.
“In an era when we will need minerals for an electrified economy and for transportation, we want B.C. to be the most attractive jurisdiction in Canada for exploration investment,” said Mungall. “The mining flow-through share tax credit is one of the tools we can use to get there.”
The Mining Jobs Task Force will look at all aspects of mineral exploration and mining in British Columbia, and provide recommendations to government on measures it might implement to make B.C. the most attractive jurisdiction for investment in this important industry.
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources assistant deputy minister Peter Robb will chair the task force.
Other members of the task force include: Codie Morigeau, Ktunaxa Nation Council; Edie Thome, president and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration; Bryan Cox, president and CEO of the Mining Association of British Columbia; Tom Syer, head of Government Affairs, Teck Resources Limited; Don McPherson, mayor of Tumbler Ridge; Regina Saimoto, associate dean for Northwest Community College (NWCC), Eastern Region; Alan Young, director, Materials Efficiency Research Group; Richard Tremblay, Taseko Gibraltar Mine vice-president and general manager (Tremblay has also been general manager of Teck Coal’s Fording River and Line Creek Operations, located in the Elk Valley); Michelle Laurie, staff representative for the United Steelworkers – Western Canada; Earl Graham, staff representative for the United Steelworkers; Mark Podlasly, senior adviser, First Nations Energy and Mining Council; Neil Pogany, partner, Deloitte and Touche LLP.
Codie Morigeau is the director of Education and Employment for the Ktunaxa Nation Council in Cranbrook.
The education and employment sector is one of five sectors that strive to achieve the Ktunaxa Nation vision of: “Strong, healthy Citizens and communities, speaking our languages and celebrating who we are and our history in our ancestral homelands, working together, managing our lands and resources, within a self-sufficient, self-governing Nation.” Morigeau has also served as an elected Band Councillor for her community of ʔaq̓am for the past five years.
Morigeau has worked for the Ktunaxa Nation for over 15 years. In Ktunaxa ʔamakʔis (Ktunaxa Territory), also known as the East Kootenay, where there are numerous large-scale mining operations. Through her work, she has been involved in the negotiations and contribution to Impact Management Benefits Agreement (IMBA) between the Ktunaxa Nation and Teck Coal.
Morigeau works to establish formal and informal educational and employment relationships and partnerships to leverage opportunities for Ktunaxa Citizens and Indigenous people who are underrepresented in both the mining industry and post-secondary education. Morigeau is passionate about advancing opportunities by being solution oriented for all who call Ktunaxa ʔamakʔis or the East Kootenay home.
Lead image: Teck’s Line Creek Operations near Elkford and Sparwood. e-KNOW file photo
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