Ontario Mining Association sets the date for the first post-election Meet the Miners event for November 30

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province

Following close on the heels of the recent provincial election, which resulted in a minority government, the Ontario Mining Association will be holding its Meet the Miners event on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at the Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto. This is the second Meet the Miners hosted by the OMA in 2011 with the earlier celebration of mining being held on Monday, March 28, before the event was shifted to a regular fall time slot. 

“While we are still awaiting news on legislative business such as the appointment of a new speaker and a new cabinet by the government, including the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, we feel it is important to move forward with this opportunity to communicate the importance of the mineral sector to Ontarians,” said OMA President Chris Hodgson. “During the recent election campaign, the Liberals, Progressive Conservatives and NDP all included important and constructive positions on mining in their platforms.” 

Details still need to be finalized but the day will include an OMA board meeting in the morning, a luncheon with a keynote speaker, who ideally would be the newly appointed mines minister, recognition of the industry and the OMA and its members in the Legislature, team meetings with cabinet ministers and opposition leaders and a reception from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sutton Place Hotel. Invitations for various components of the day will be distributed electronically in the near future.

During Ontario’s 40th provincial election campaign, all major parties seized on initiatives from the OMA’s vision for the future of mining, which can be found on the OMA website www.oma.on.ca. The Liberals have vowed to open “at least eight new mines in the next 10 years.” The PCs and NDP want to improve the permitting process. All parties have promised in various ways to make electricity pricing more competitive. Also, there is agreement on the need to work more closely with municipalities and First Nations.

Parties have their differences but their platforms agreed on recognition that mining is a responsible partner contributing to the development of Ontario’s society and economy. They see the sector in its true light as attracting investment dollars, creating jobs, nurturing regional development and building communities. 

“At this time, we see an unprecedented level of new mine development, mine expansions and mineral exploration in Ontario,” added Mr. Hodgson. “Ontario has a window of opportunity to take advantage of the global trends toward ongoing urbanization and continued economic growth in major developing countries.”

The OMA has been holding Meet the Miners activities at Queen’s Park in various forms for more than 25 years. It is intended to bring recognition of the importance of the industry to the seat of the provincial government. Meet the Miners involves OMA member companies and their employees.