NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2011FOR0014-000201 March 7, 2011

Ministry of Forests, Mines and Lands

 

B.C. COMMITTED TO SHARING MINE REVENUE WITH FIRST NATIONS

 

VICTORIA – Randy Hawes, the Minister of State for Mining, has reiterated the government’s commitment to sharing mineral tax revenue with First Nations, adding that Aboriginal communities have an important role to play in developing the province’s resources.

 

Hawes will be a panellist at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Aboriginal Forum in Toronto on Monday. PDAC is the world’s biggest mining convention, attracting more than 20,000 delegates from across the globe, as well as an increasing number of Aboriginal delegates.

The minister will share the stage with Chief Shane Gottfriedson of Tk'emlups Indian Band along with New Gold officials Ann Wallin (manager of human resources) and Rick Killam (director of environment and social responsibility) to discuss the Economic and Community Development Agreement.

 

Quote:

Minister of State for Mining Randy Hawes:

“Our support for revenue sharing is unequivocal. We are determined to continue engaging with First Nations as fully as possible. For the benefit of both the province and the First Nations, it is vital that First nations play a significant role in the mining industry.”

 

Quick facts on First Nations revenue sharing:

• Resource revenue sharing is a commitment to sharing revenue that the Province will receive from new mine developments. It will not be a cost to industry.
• The amount of revenue shared with First Nations is negotiated on a project-by-project basis.  It is based on several factors such as the size of a proposed project, the nature and interests of a First Nation community, and the potential impacts of a project.
• As the mineral tax that a mine pays rises and falls, so do the benefits that are received by a First Nation community.
• British Columbia is the first province in Canada to share direct provincial mineral tax revenue generated from new mines or mine expansions with First Nations

 

 

• In August 2010, two historic agreements were signed between the Province and First Nations: the McLeod Lake Indian Band, for revenue sharing for the Mt Milligan mine; and the Stk’emlupsemc of the Secwepemce Nation, for revenue sharing for the New Afton mine. The Province is negotiating a number of other revenue sharing agreements.
• Mining is one of the largest employers of First Nations.

 

Contact:

Cheekwan Ho

Public Affairs Bureau 

Ministry of Forests, Mines and Lands

250 387-4592

 

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