Kevin Costante - Deputy Minister of Northern Development and Mines at the SAMSSA Annual Meeting

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INTRODUCTION

While the mining sector has seen unprecedented growth, driven by high commodity prices, it is not immune to the current economic climate.

No one understands that better than the mining community in Sudbury.

Accepting the reality of boom and bust cycles and dealing with them over the course of a century has made Sudbury’s mining industry competitive and a cut above the rest.

The minerals industry knows it cannot depend solely on high commodity prices to drive business. What it can and does depend on are the perseverance and innovation that characterize the industry, at all times, good and bad.

It is the strength developed during the lean times that gives industry the efficiencies that lead to profitability during the good times.

Commodities demand has definitely slowed, but it has not disappeared.

Growth trends may recede for a while but they will not grind to a halt. 

Demand from growing countries like China and India will not evaporate.  China’s GDP is still above 7 per cent.  Chinese demand for oil and most key commodities is still growing.

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Prior to joining the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Kevin was the Deputy Minister and Associate Secretary of the Cabinet, Policy, Cabinet Office. He served as Deputy of the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) twice from June 1999 to August 2000 and mostly recently from February 2004 to May 2007.

He has also served as Deputy Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities from August 2000 to February 2004. Kevin originally joined MCSS in 1992 and from August 1993 to January 1998, he was Assistant Deputy Minister, Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities.

From January 1998 to June 1999, Kevin was the Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Management Division, for MCSS. In this position, he was responsible for the management and delivery of ministry programs throughout the province. Before joining MCSS, Kevin held a series of positions at the Ontario Ministry of Finance, including Director of Fiscal Planning.
 
He started his public service career in Saskatchewan, where he worked for a total of nine years at the Ministry of Education and the Saskatchewan Treasury Board.

Born and raised in Temagami, Ontario, Kevin has a B.A. (Honours) and a Masters of Public Administration from Queen’s University in Kingston.