MSABC Welcomes Removal of PST on Electricity and Innovation Commitment in Budget 2017

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Vancouver, B.C. —  The Mining Suppliers Association of British Columbia (MSABC) welcomes the Government of B.C.’s commitment to phase out the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) on electricity used by businesses, with an initial reduction from 7% to 3.5% and full elimination by April 1, 2019. “The removal of PST used in mining was a key commitment made by the BC NDP as part of our industry’s recent Vote Mining campaign and we are glad to see Government delivering on this measure,” said Rodger McLean, Chair of MSABC & Senior Manager, Innovative Solutions at Britco Construction. “No other jurisdiction in Canada charges full PST on electricity used for mining so this will help level the playing field for mines and other businesses in our province,” added McLean. [...]  READ MORE ➔

BC Mineral Exploration and Mining Industry Welcomes New Government

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Vancouver, B.C. — The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME), the Mining Association of BC (MABC) and the Mining Suppliers Association of BC (MSABC) welcome Premier John Horgan; Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Michelle Mungall; and Cabinet, sworn in today.

During the recent election campaign, the three associations collaborated on Vote Mining, a joint advocacy initiative between BC’s mineral exploration and mining associations. The initiative ran throughout the course of the Provincial General Election to raise awareness about the importance of the mineral exploration and mining sector to the provincial economy and to encourage citizens to engage with candidates about issues impacting the BC mining industry. [...]  READ MORE ➔

MSABC Welcomes Balanced Budget that Improves BC Competitiveness

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Vancouver, B.C. – The Mining Suppliers Association of British Columbia (MSABC) congratulates the government of B.C. for delivering a fifth-consecutive balanced budget while announcing important new measures to improve the competitiveness of the B.C. economy.

MSABC welcomes the government’s commitment to phase out the PST on electricity, which will be cut in half by October 2017 and completely eliminated by April 2019. “We witnessed broad industry, labour and community support for this measure in the lead-up to Budget 2017,” said Darold Thorp, Chair of MSABC and Major Account Manager – Mining BC, Brandt Tractor Ltd. “B.C. is the only North American jurisdiction to levy a sales tax on electricity used by business. This important measure will help level the playing field for existing energy intensive industries to compete globally and attract new investments for industrial projects in the province,” added Thorp. [...]  READ MORE ➔

MSABC Welcomes Balanced Budget and Continued Focus on Economic Growth in Budget 2015

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Vancouver, B.C. – The Mining Suppliers Association of British Columbia (MSABC) welcomes a third consecutive balanced budget and continued investments to grow the B.C. mining sector in Budget 2015. “It is good to see Government maintaining fiscal prudence while continuing to lay the groundwork for continued economic growth in this Budget,” said Darold Thorp, Chair of MSABC. “Budget 2015 contains important measures to improve the mine permitting process, to attract new investments in mining and to ensure our workforce is prepared to capitalize on new opportunities,” added Thorp. [...]  READ MORE ➔

MSABC Disappointed by Government of Canada’s Decision to Block Development of BC’s New Prosperity Mine

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Vancouver, B.C. – The Mining Suppliers Association of British Columbia (MSABC) was disappointed by yesterday’s announcement by the Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Canada’s Environment Minister, that the New Prosperity mining project should not proceed due to adverse environmental effects that the federal government believes cannot be mitigated. “We were certainly surprised by this decision because the Government of BC had given assurances that any adverse environmental effects stemming from the development of the mine would be addressed through the provincial permitting process,” said Ken Roberts, Chair of MSABC. “It was all the more surprising that the federal government did not accept assurances from Taseko Mines Limited, which already operates a successful and responsible mine in BC, or from Knight Piésold, a highly reputable engineering firm, that the proposed mine operating plan addressed concerns raised in the initial federal review of the project,” added Roberts. [...]  READ MORE ➔

MSABC Welcomes Return to Balanced Budget and Investments in Environmental Assessments and Training in BC Budget 2014

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Vancouver, B.C. — The Mining Suppliers Association of British Columbia (MSABC) welcomes the return to a balanced budget and continued investments in exploration, environmental assessments and skills training in Budget 2014. “MSABC congratulates the provincial government on its prudent fiscal management and the return to a balanced budget with a plan to grow the surplus,” said Ken Roberts, Chair of MSABC. Roberts added, “MSABC also welcomes the extension of the BC Mining Flow-Through Share Tax Credit which provides, along with recently extended federal measures, an important source of capital for mineral exploration in BC.” [...]  READ MORE ➔

MSABC Encouraged by Commitment to Eliminate Deficit in Budget 2013

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Vancouver, B.C. – The Mining Suppliers Association of British Columbia (MSABC) is encouraged by the Government of B.C.’s commitment to eliminate the provincial deficit in 2013-14 while maintaining targeted investments to build the B.C. economy. “With 41% of our exports now destined for Asia, including a significant portion of our mining products, we are pleased to see continued investment in provincial infrastructure in Budget 2013, including $30 million for Pacific Gateway infrastructure,” said Mike Ranallo, Chair of MSABC. “We also welcome targeted investments to provide more efficient permitting for mining exploration, including 60 day timelines for processing Notice of Work applications and the introduction of Multi-Year Area-Based exploration permitting,” added Ranallo. [...]  READ MORE ➔

Mining Suppliers Applaud Christy Clark’s Commitment to Natural Resources Industries

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Vancouver – The Mining Suppliers Association of B.C. (MSABC) was pleased with comments made by Liberal leadership candidate Christy Clark regarding the importance of supporting the natural resources industries in British Columbia. At a recent meeting that included Patty Moore, Chair of MSABC, Clark made it very clear that she believes it is critical to recognize and support the natural resources industries, including metals mining, oil & gas and forestry.

“It is not my place to suggest, one way or another, how anyone should vote for the leader of the Liberal or NDP parties, or which party should be chosen in a provincial election,” explained Moore. “But we do feel we need to inform those with a vested interest in the mining industry, which candidates are our supporters.” [...]  READ MORE ➔