Budget 2022 Enhances Industry Decarbonization Programs but Misses Opportunity to Address Competitiveness Challenges for B.C.’s Low-Carbon Mines and Smelters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vancouver, B.C. – While Budget 2022 increased funding for industry decarbonization programs it also missed an opportunity to implement urgent policy changes to B.C.’s carbon tax to improve the competitiveness of mining and smelting and other trade-exposed industries in B.C., according to the Mining Suppliers Association of B.C. (MSABC).
Budget 2022 highlighted the need to redesign the CleanBC Program for Industry to align it with new federal carbon pricing rules and promote a more competitive business environment for trade-exposed industries. However, future changes and enhancements to the program are not certain and will only be considered after a year-long consultation process. B.C. is the only global mining jurisdiction with a comprehensive carbon tax that does not provide meaningful carbon pricing support to trade-exposed industries like mines.
“Government should work quickly to implement enhancements to the program to improve business competitiveness while further reducing emissions,” said Mike Abbey, MSABC Chair and Area Fire Sales Manager, Canada West at Johnson Controls. “Improving our competitiveness will help B.C. attract the capital investments needed for both new mining projects and mine extensions, which support jobs in supplies and services companies across the province.”
Budget 2022 did provide an additional $111 million for the CleanBC Industry Fund to support industry decarbonization projects in the 2024/25 fiscal year, although an immediate enhancement to the Fund in Budget 2022 would have enabled mines to decarbonize further and faster.
“Mining supplies and services firms are currently engaged with B.C. mining operations to implement state-of-the-art decarbonization solutions at mining operations across B.C.,” said Mike Abbey, MSABC Chair and Area Fire Sales Manager, Canada West at Johnson Controls. “From the introduction of electric-trolley assist systems at an open pit mine near Princeton to the electrification of underground mining fleets at an operation north of Stewart, the CleanBC Industry Fund is helping mining operations to further reduce their carbon footprint,” added Abbey. MSABC members are delivering a variety of solutions to help B.C. mines deliver on sustainability objectives.
In 2019 alone, 3,730 supplier, contractor and consultant firms located in 215 B.C. communities benefited from $2.9 Billion in spending by 17 major mines and 2 smelters in 2018. Learn more here: https://miningsuppliersbc.ca/resources/one-province-one-economy/
MSABC comprises suppliers, contractors and consultants to the B.C. mining industry who are committed to promoting the sustainability of this valuable resource sector.
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For more information please contact:
Alec Morrison, President & CEO – MSABC, at 604-681-4321 (Ext: 111)
