Resource extraction is a…

Resource extraction is a critical component to economic prosperity, and it provides many opportunities for our province to lead on this front due to its size and distribution and abundance of natural resources. It is also important to ensure that this remains a priority going forward, as we will need many different minerals and metals to have a viable future economy. These opportunities however come with a responsibility to ensure that the landscape, water systems, and biodiversity, are all protected at the same time as the exploration and extraction of those resources occurs. The evidence of the past, the thousands of abandoned mines existing on the landscape, cannot be overlooked, is well documented and must be avoided. We need to do better now and in the future, because of the long term impacts, effects, and consequences to our environment these projects represent.

The changes to the act also seem to shift and somewhat centralize the 'Powers of Minister', and to an extent bypass the agencies responsible for keeping our environment safe. This change gives an elected official special powers 'to issue or deny permits to do activities' as listed and not allow public to be involved in such process. There should be a requirement for ERO listing of these actions, for public to comment and be part it. The healthy environment benefits everyone!!!