What are the parties promising on Mining and minerals?

Jobs, Businesses, & Labour / Climate Change & the Environment

Mining and minerals platforms

Here's what the 2024 BC election parties are promising.

BC NDP

Start union-training programmes focused on mining

"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." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07
Guarantee permit review timelines for critical mineral projects

"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." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07
Provide dedicated support for projects through a new Critical Minerals office

"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 and capacity." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07
Create a long-term investment outreach strategy

"Working with the industry, unions, stakeholders and First Nations on a long-term outreach strategy to attract more investment and opportunities — from mineral exploration to advanced processing — in British Columbia’s critical minerals sector." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07
Provide grid access to power mines

"Building out the electricity grid across the province and supporting mines to power up with clean energy, ensuring that BC’s mining industry continues to be the cleanest in the world." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07
Upgrade key highway infrastructure in BC's northwest

"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." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07
Ensure continuation of the Resource Benefits Alliance and First Nations revenue-sharing and new equity ownership opportunities

"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." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07
Pursue and ask for federal funding for a battery recycling operation at the Trail smelter
Require industry to pay for clean up costs

"Requiring that industry – not taxpayers – pay for the costs of clean up. For years, the government collected insufficient financial security from mining companies. We will build on the progress we have made that’s already increased the total reclamation securities held by the government from only 40% of estimated liabilities in 2017 to over 90% today." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

BC Conservatives

Provide a single-permit process for mining projects
Run a full review of mining regulations

"Identify redundant regulations: We will conduct a full review of mining regulations – including the NDP’s changes to the Mining Act - with the aim of removing unnecessary or duplicative requirements that do not meaningfully contribute to safety or environmental protection." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08
Ensure a competitive tax structure for mining

"Review tax competitiveness: To attract and retain investment, we will ensure a fair and competitive tax structure so BC remains a strong investment destination." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08
Reverse cabinet orders that prohibit mining exploration in some parts of BC
Work with project proponents to satisfy environmental and safety requirements

"Establish BC as a global hub for critical minerals: We commit to “getting to yes” in as timely a manner as possible – working with, not against, project proponents to satisfy all environmental and safety requirements." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08
Identify gaps in rural infrastructure and make targeted investments
Work with Indigenous communities to build mutually beneficial partnerships

"Strengthen Indigenous partnerships: We will work closely with Indigenous communities to build strong, mutually beneficial partnerships. As Minister of Reconciliation, John Rustad signed more deals with First Nations than any other Minister in BC history, and knows what it takes to build trust.

Clear and transparent consultation: Ambiguous expectations around consultation requirements can create an atmosphere of mistrust and frustration. Clarity and transparency will help all parties move forward together."

— conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08
Require companies that build mines to be responsible for remediation costs at closure

BC Greens

Create an integrated and independent environmental compliance and enforcement regime

"Create an integrated and independent compliance and enforcement regime for the Ministry of Energy and Mines." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Modernise staking regimes to respect Indigenous rights and reduce risks for watersheds and communities

"Modernize BC’s mining and mineral staking regimes to respect Indigenous rights and reduce risks to our watersheds and communities." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Modernise the Mineral Tenure Act

"Modernize the Mineral Tenure Act to ensure it reflects current environmental, social and Indigenous rights concerns." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Create a fund from levies on industry to mitigate the costs of mining pollution and disaster, including rehabilitating abandoned mines

"Establish an industry-levied fund to mitigate the costs of mining pollution and disasters, including the rehabilitation of abandoned mines." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Provide a robust inspection and audit process for the mining industry

"Enhance oversight of the mining industry through a robust inspection and audit process." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Designate certain areas, including salmon rivers, as off-limits to mining
Prioritise transition minerals in mining, and ensure benefits flow to communities and First Nations

"Engage in a conversation about the future of critical minerals in BC. Prioritize transition minerals in mining. Ensure that benefits flow to communities and First Nations, not just shareholders." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

Looking for the parties' positions on other topics?

See our full 2024 BC election platform comparison

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