It is now silly season as the provincial politicians of BC will pretend that they have our best interests in heart. Recently the NDP and Conservatives have released their mining strategy to the public. Which one is better? In the spirit of fairness we will publish them both in this article and let you decide.

Honestly the track record of one political party is being compared in a quasi new party.

John Rustad Announces Plan to Unlock British Columbia’s Mining Industry, Calls Out NDP for Neglecting Rural BC

“British Columbia should be a global mining superpower. But under the NDP, we’ve missed critical opportunities. The Conservative Party will reinvigorate the industry, create jobs, and ensure that rural BC and its communities thrive once again.” – John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia

September 24th, Cranbrook, BC:  John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, today unveiled his plan to unlock BC’s mining industry and reverse the damaging policies implemented under the BC NDP. The mining and mineral exploration industry, a cornerstone of British Columbia’s economy, has been stifled by increased regulatory burdens, inefficiencies in permitting, and a lack of rural infrastructure investment under the leadership of David Eby’s government. Rustad emphasized that unlocking the mining sector means supporting rural communities across the province that depend on these high-paying jobs.

“Mining is essential to BC’s economy, providing over 35,000 direct jobs and billions in GDP,” Rustad said. “But under the NDP, the industry has been strangled by excessive red tape, delays, and lack of investment. The NDP’s focus has been on throwing up barriers to investment rather than creating pathways for growth and innovation. We need to change that.”

Rustad outlined key challenges that have hampered the mining industry under the BC NDP government, including:

1. Permitting Delays: Mining projects face years of delays due to the overly complex, slow, and inconsistent permitting process.
2. Regulatory Overreach: Uncertain and overcomplicated regulations have increased costs and uncertainty for mining companies, stalling development.
3. Lack of Infrastructure Investment: The NDP has failed to invest in critical infrastructure, such as roads and power, particularly in remote regions.
4. Uncertainty in Indigenous Consultation: The NDP has not provided clear guidelines for Indigenous consultation, leading to confusion and delays in projects.

The Conservative Party of BC’s Plan to Unlock Mining

Rustad laid out the Conservative Party’s vision for the future of BC’s mining industry, promising to cut through the red tape, reduce regulatory burdens, and position BC as a world leader in responsible resource extraction. Key elements of the plan include:

1. Streamline Permitting Processes: A Conservative government will establish clear timelines and a “one-stop” approval process to ensure that mining companies are not tied up in bureaucratic delays. “In Eby’s BC, a mining permit can take up to 15 years. We’ll change that,” said Rustad.
2. Reduce Regulatory Burdens: A Conservative government will conduct a full review of mining regulations to remove unnecessary or duplicative requirements, ensuring that regulations focus on safety and environmental protection, while encouraging investment.
3. “You build it, You clean it”: Uphold BC’s high environmental standards, and make sure that any company building a mine is responsible for cleaning it up at the end of its life cycle.  
4. Invest in Critical Infrastructure: A Conservative Party will prioritize investments in transportation, energy, and water infrastructure in key mining regions, ensuring that mining projects, particularly in remote areas, have the resources they need to operate efficiently.
5. Economic Reconciliation and Indigenous Partnerships: A Conservative government will work closely with Indigenous communities, creating clear and transparent consultation processes to foster strong, mutually beneficial partnerships that support both the communities and the industry.
6. Promote Critical Mineral Development: Rustad emphasized the global importance of critical minerals, such as copper and lithium, in clean energy technologies. A Conservative government will make British Columbia a hub for responsible critical mineral development, positioning BC as a key supplier on the global stage.
7. Create a Competitive Tax Environment: To attract and retain investment, a Conservative Party will ensure a fair and competitive tax structure, reviewing existing policies to encourage long-term investment and making BC an attractive destination for mining investments.

“British Columbia should be a global mining superpower,” Rustad declared. “But under the NDP, we’ve missed critical opportunities. The Conservative Party will reinvigorate the industry, create jobs, and ensure that rural BC and its communities thrive once again.”

Rustad concluded by promising that a Conservative government will prioritize both the prosperity of the mining sector and the protection of BC’s environment and Indigenous partnerships. “Our future depends on revitalizing BC’s resource industries, and the Conservative Party of BC is ready to lead that charge.”

NDP

Rustad neglected Northwest, while Eby makes sure communities benefit directly from growing mining industry

TERRACE – BC NDP leader David Eby spent the day in Terrace, where he shared his plan to grow BC’s critical minerals sector and create economic benefits in the Northwest and across BC.

“Northwest BC has the critical minerals that are in high demand worldwide, giving us a huge advantage in the global movement to a clean economy,” said Eby. “Our plan will get mining projects moving that grow BC’s economy, create good jobs across the Northwest, and benefit communities directly.”

Critical minerals, such as copper, nickel and silver, are essential components for electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, electrical transmission lines and batteries, making them essential in the clean economy. There are currently 16 new or expanded critical mineral mines proposed in BC – and we’ll fast-track priority projects to grow the economy and create jobs.

David Eby’s plan will continue to deliver major critical mineral projects and support Northwest communities through the Resource Benefits Alliance, which represents 21 local governments, including Terrace.

The Resource Benefits Alliance represents 21 local governments, including Terrace. With David Eby and the BC NDP, the RBA will receive $250 million over five years to support infrastructure in the region.

“For too long, communities across BC’s Northwest saw the impacts of resource projects–like more wear and tear on roads and highways, increased demand on local services–but they weren’t seeing enough of the benefits,” said Eby. “We took action to change that. We’re investing money directly back into infrastructure communities like Terrace and Vanderhoof while building up the economy.”

David Eby and the BC NDP’s plan to support more critical mineral projects and grow the economy:

• Guaranteeing permit review timelines for priority critical mineral projects while maintaining BC’s world-leading standards for environmental protection and worker safety and commitment to First Nations partnerships.
• Providing dedicated support to advance projects to final investment through the new Critical Minerals Office, including coordination with the federal government to reduce duplication and supporting First Nations engagement.
• Helping workers keep up with the changing nature of mining in BC by establishing union-training programs focused on building the skilled workforce and trades people we need across the entire mining industry.
• Building out the electricity grid across the provinceand supporting mines to power up with clean energy, ensuring that BC’s mining industry continues to be the cleanest in the world.
• Upgrading key highway infrastructure in BC’s northwest needed to unlock investments in new critical mineral mines, create good jobs, and improve community access and safety.
• Ensuring that resource development provides lasting benefits to communities in the Northwest through the Resource Benefits Alliance and to First Nations through continued revenue-sharing and new equity ownership opportunities.

Mining is a foundational part of British Columbia’s economy and the BC NDP is supporting it to grow. Since 2017, employment in the mining sector has increased to 40,000 direct jobs, total private sector investment has doubled, and mineral production value has increased by 70%.