TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Monday became the first-ever Prime Minister to attend the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's (PDAC's) International Convention, Trade Show and Investors Exchange - a testament to the growing clout the once-modest yearly gathering of explorers and miners has.

In a moderated question and answer session with incoming PDAC president Rodney Thomas, Harper focused on the strength of the economy and on measures the government was taking to help Canadian companies engaged in the mining and extractive industries flourish, both at home and abroad.

“Canada is one of the world’s leading mining nations. The sector employs tens of thousands of Canadians both in communities across this country and around the world. Our government recognises the importance of the industry and has been taking important steps to help make it more competitive and productive,” the Prime Minister told about 600 delegates in a special presentation on the government's support for the mineral industry.

These measures included supporting junior mineral exploration in ‘Economic Action Plan 2014’, streamlining the review process for major economic natural resource projects, lowering taxes and keeping them low, opening international market access like never before, and working to match skills training with employer needs.

He also stressed that the exploration and mining industries were critical in providing countrywide employment and wealth-creation opportunities to Aboriginals. This was supported by the federal government providing funding for detailed geological mapping of the vast Canadian landscape to assist explorers in “finding the needles in the haystack”.

The Prime Minister also discussed the government’s efforts to promote access to international markets, including the agreement-in-principle reached with the European Union on a comprehensive trade agreement that would be of great benefit to Canadian businesses.

Part of this is to provide financial assistance to construct much-needed infrastructure to the remote minerals-rich regions of the country, such as the up-and-coming areas of south-western Nunavut and Ontario’s nickel and chromite-rich ‘Ring of Fire’ region.

Also, since 2006, the mineral exploration tax credit, along with the basic flow-through-shares programme, had helped mining companies – mainly juniors – raise more than $5-billion for exploration.

To increase the value that Canada could draw from its natural resources, Harper pointed out that the federal government had introduced significant system-wide improvements to achieve the goal of ‘one project, one review’ in a clearly defined time period, streamlined the review process for major economic projects, enhanced consultations with Aboriginal peoples, and strengthened environmental protection and pipeline and marine safety.

"What is clear from our discussion with the Prime Minister is that this government remains committed to supporting a progressive public policy and fiscal environment," PDAC executive director Ross Gallinger said.

The PDAC also welcomed a record number of elected officials from across the country, including more than 50 Members of Parliament.

"This level of political participation demonstrates the strength of PDAC's influence in public policy. Interest from parliamentarians continues to grow because the mineral industry touches Canadians across the country and in ridings from coast to coast to coast,” Gallinger added.

The PDAC has more than 10 000 individual and corporate members.