The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) have congratulated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on his election victory, saying that they looked forward to working with his government.

MAC president and CEO Pierre Gratton said on Tuesday that it would be important that the federal government policy continued to provide a competitive investment climate to ensure the success of the mining industry.

The Liberal platform specifically included commitments on resource sector electrification and zero-emission vehicles, Indigenous reconciliation, and infrastructure investments, particularly in Canada’s North where tremendous opportunities for the mining sector exist. Similarly, the other party platforms also included commitments related to infrastructure, innovation, investing in the North and sustainability, presenting opportunities for collaboration.

“While Canada has long benefited from a prosperous minerals and metals industry, the country is not immune to global competitive forces and cannot take the benefits and opportunities that exploration and mining present to Canadians for granted,” continued Gratton.

“With the strong building blocks Canada already has in place, and with mineral exploration and mining playing a critical role in the low-carbon future, the need to support one of the country’s most vital sectors is more important now than ever before.

“It will be important to ensure our sector is a key aspect of federal government policy, as providing a competitive investment climate is critical to the success of our industry and the contribution we make to the overall strength of the Canadian economy.”

PDAC President Felix Lee said that the organisation looked forward to working with the Prime Minister, his forthcoming Cabinet, and all members of Parliament to further enhance the competitiveness of Canada’s mineral industry.

Mineral exploration and mining in Canada employs more than 630 000 workers, contributes more than 5% to the gross domestic product, and is the largest private-sector industrial employer of Indigenous peoples in the country, as well as being a key partner of Indigenous businesses.

“Canada is a mineral exploration and mining nation, and our sector generates significant economic and social benefits in remote communities, Indigenous communities, and large cities across the country,” added Lee.

“In order to maintain the opportunities provided by our industry, government support is critical.”

PDAC looks forward to working collaboratively with government on high-priority matters that affect our industry, such as responsible access to land, sound fiscal policy and regulatory certainty that supports investment in Canada and improves discovery rates of the minerals and metals that are essential to everyday life and support a low carbon future.