PERMITS: Long wait times hinder exploration, especially in Ontario

CALGARY – Permit times – the length of time it takes to get approval for mining exploration – are increasing across Canada and especially in Ontario, according to a survey of mining companies released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent Canadian policy think-tank. “Growing wait times for permits add to the cost of exploration and therefore deter investment and ultimately hinder Canada’s ability to realize its considerable mineral potential,” said Kenneth Green, Fraser Institute senior director of energy and natural resources and co-author of Permit Times for Mining Exploration: How Long Are They? Based on the experiences and opinions of industry professionals, the study compares the efficiency, transparency and certainty of the permitting process in jurisdictions across Canada. Of all the provinces and territories, Ontario is a clear laggard. For example, 68% of survey respondents indicated that permit approval wait times in Ontario had grown over the previous 10 years compared to 52% in Quebec and 40% in British Columbia – Ontario’s main competing jurisdictions in Canada. In fact, according to the survey, only the Northwest Territories had more respondents indicate that permit wait times were increasing. On a different measure – whether or not survey respondents received permits in six months or less – Saskatchewan ranked first (87% of respondents said yes) compared to 76% in Quebec and only 64% in Ontario. On the issue of the ease and clarity of the permitting process, Ontario also ranked poorly. Twenty-five per cent of mining company officials said the level of transparency in the permitting process in Ontario is a strong deterrent to exploration investment. “To maximize exploration investment in the province, Ontario needs to put forth efficient and transparent permitting processes,” said Taylor Jackson, study co-author and policy analyst at the Fraser Institute. “All jurisdictions across Canada need to understand that long wait times have the potential to deter mining companies from even applying for permits. Ultimately, uncompetitive mining policies can discourage exploration and subsequently lower job creation and tax revenues,” Green said. Click here to access the complete report.