OCC MINING REPORT – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
DESCRIPTION
Over the past few years, Ontario’s mining sector has been facing difficult challenges. Economic
uncertainty and a fluctuating commodity cycle have created tough market conditions for many
mineral products and increased the wariness of investors. In addition, growing regulatory
uncertainty and rising costs in Ontario have made the business case for investing in new mining
development in the province less convincing.
Despite this, the long-term prospects for Ontario’s mining sector remain strong: mineral deposit
discoveries in northern Ontario, including the Ring of Fire, hint at future opportunities for
mineral production in the province; Ontario’s position as a global leader in mining research,
innovation, and finance continues to grow; and commitments at the federal level, such as new
infrastructure investment, present opportunities to create the conditions for a prosperous sector.
During this time of difficulty, governments and industry have an opportunity to take the steps
necessary to set the mining sector up for success in the future. Ontario must be prepared to
capitalize on the next boom.
That is the goal of this paper. First, we present a snapshot of Ontario mining and its considerable
contributions to the economies of communities across the province. Second, we provide a series
of recommendations that will ensure mining remains a strong contributor to the province’s
economy going forward.
RECOMMENDATIONS
 Continue to build Ontario’s brand as a global mining hub
 Reduce regulatory uncertainty by clarifying the responsibilities and expectations for
mining companies, First Nations, and government under the duty to consult rule
 Boost investment in northern infrastructure and make efforts to coordinate infrastructure
planning with mining and Aboriginal interests. The government should appoint a lead
person to seek out these opportunities.
 Increase Ontario’s flow-through share tax credit to 20% to bring it in line with other
provinces.
 Maintain the current mining tax rates for remote, non-remote, and diamond mining
operations
 Conduct a benchmarking study to better understand Ontario’s current attractiveness as a
mining jurisdiction relative to its competitors
PLEASE NOTE: This information is based on a preliminary draft of the OCC’s mining report,
and is therefore subject to change.
Contact: Scott Boutilier, Senior Policy Analyst, Ontario Chamber of Commerce,
scottboutilier@occ.ca, 416-482-5222 ext. 2330