I am pleased that the…

I am pleased that the Ministry of Mines has, after a very long delay, finally completed a draft for an updated Hobby Mineral Collecting Policy. I see that it is not called a policy, which I believe that should be. It has not been explained in any releases that I have seen, or heard of, why this will not be considered a policy. Perhaps this might be addressed?

Mineral collecting as a recreational hobby has long been overlooked by many as an enjoyable past-time and an important economic component of recreational tourism. Many people see it as a niche market with limited appeal, but the hobby has a very strong dedicated following not only in province, but across Canada, and around the world. This has been is shown in the makeup of attendees to the Bancroft Rockhound Gemboree, Canada's largest gem & mineral show, held in annually in Bancroft, Ontario. Participants come from around the world in visit this show and to collect minerals in the area. These figures are supported by data from Collecting Permits issued by the Bancroft & District Chamber of Commerce when they operated the Bear Lake Diggings mineral collecting site. This site is no longer operating, but it was privately held property owned by the Bancroft & District Chamber of Commerce, run for the express purpose of promoting recreational mineral collecting.

An economic impact study done by the Bancroft & District Chamber of Commerce in 1994, authored by Chris Fouts, very clearly outlines, with hard data, the substantial impact that recreational mineral collecting has on the economy of North Hastings. This was recognized by the Ontario Highlands Tourism Organization, which directed much of their efforts into promoting recreational geology, (mineral collecting, fossil collecting, highlighting geological features).

Having said all this, it is important to have a clear, and helpful Mineral Collecting Policy in place to support the tourism activities in North Hastings, Haliburton, Renfrew, Lennox & Addington, and Frontenac Counties, amongst other municipalities.

There are a number of deficiencies with this draft. The first being that it does not allow for collecting on privately held land, with the owners consent. This would have nullified the Bear lake Diggings as a collecting site, and it will greatly impact many other sites and hamstring the hobby in Southern Ontario. This point was specifically addressed in previous incarnations of the Mineral Collecting Policy in 1990 and 2014, but is glaringly absent in this draft.

Second, the draft should make it clear that it covers mineral collecting and fossil collecting. Other countries generally make it clear in their guidelines, or policies, that collecting can include mineral specimens, rock specimens (plus bulk rock), fossil collecting and gemstone collecting, (see Australia and the USA).

It should be clear that the policy applies to residents and visitors in Ontario.

I can understand that the Ministry is concerned about minerals being sold for profit, without the collector obtaining a mining lease, but it should be recognized that specimens collected under the definition of recreational mineral collecting, as defined in previous policies, have an insignificant impact on the environment and the economics of the business. Certainly, collecting for commercial purposes should be highly regulated, as it is under the Mining Act, but recreational collecting, as it is defined, should be considered as inconsequential. Allowing collectors to "sell" a few specimens, obtained following the guidelines of the policy/guide, to buy materials to build their collection should not be a concern of the government. Even with such legislation in place, it would be unenforceable.

The policy/guide should be available on-line and in hard copy, distributed through tourist information outlets/kiosks, schools, resident geologists offices, and mineral clubs. It should be understandable by the general public and have a complete glossary of terms and definitions, and a simple instructions on how to obtain needed information on land status.

Mineral and fossil collecting is an inexpensive, and very accessible hobby to all, which encourages outdoor activity and an appreciation of the natural world. Knowledge about minerals, and mineral resources, especially with children and younger adults, allows them to appreciate the importance of these resources, and where they come from. An educated public would be more amenable to facing the challenges we face deciding on what projects we chose to pursue to meet the demand for mineral resources we need to support our infrastructures, and to provide employment for our workforce. By making recreational collecting activities difficult to engage in, and making government legislation opaque, we handicap ourselves from enjoying the delights and possibilities we have been blessed with in this province.

Thank you for this opportunity to remark on this proposed Ontario Ministry of Mines Hobby Mineral Collecting Policy/Guide. I hope that they strongly consider these recommendations and comments, as well as those provided by the Central Canadian Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CCFMS), which has been an active leader in promoting ethical collecting policies for many years now.