Québec solidaire proposes changes to the Mining Act

Photo: Jacques Boissinot Archives The Canadian Press QS proposes to abolish the precedence of the Mining Act over that of development and town planning.

The Canadian Press

Posted at 6:29 p.m.

• Quebec

Québec solidaire (QS) is putting forward four measures to improve the Mining Act.

Quebecers have the right to demand best practices, argued QS spokesperson for natural resources, Alejandra Zaga Mendez, in a press release sent on Monday.

She initially proposes to increase mining royalties, deploring that at present, “we are letting multinationals take our resources without taking our share.”

Ms. Zaga Mendez believes that “Quebec is letting its resources go for a pittance”, to the extent that the minimum tax varies between 1% and 4% of the value that is extracted. Quebec resources are then transformed and used elsewhere, she underlines.

Secondly, the member wants Quebec to establish a “compulsory BAPE”, that is -say assessments and consultations carried out by the Office of Public Hearings on the Environment.

“The assessment of environmental impacts and consultations with the population are essential ingredients for good social acceptability”, argues Ms. Zaga Mendez.

Thirdly, she proposes to abolish the precedence of the Mining Law over that of the development and town planning, in particular to prevent mining claims from being found in urban areas. The preponderance of the Mining Law over that of development and town planning also has the effect of blocking protected area projects, according to her.

Ms. Zaga Mendez finally proposes granting discretionary power to the Minister of Natural Resources.

She could withdraw claims based on “certain environmental, public health or further respect for indigenous rights.”

A public justification would be necessary to explain the minister's intervention, specifies the solidarity elected official. She says she expects Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina to propose a revision of the Mining Act this spring.