Following Ottawa's announcement of its Minerals and Metals Plan, an expert weighed in on the visions of the plan, noting that discussions still need to be made for the purpose of creating concrete steps of execution.
The Canadian government released its Minerals and Metals Plan earlier this week in a bid to promote the Liberal party's mining industry proposals. During the conference, Ottawa said the proposal is a "visionary plan to inspire and shape the future of Canadian mining."
Minister of Natural Resources, Amarjeet Sohi said the plan had "tangible outcomes" that will come forth after execution. He said Ottawa will continue to work with the country's mining and metals industry to come up with the desired results.
While only two Canadian provinces did not approve the plan, suggesting that majority of local leaders are pleased with the proposed procedures, some analysts and experts noted that there is still a need to discuss other aspects of the plan.
Conservative Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, Shannon Stubbs told the Investing News Network that she initially had skeptic thoughts over the plan. "It is primarily a lot of good words, but I would say not a concrete action plan or next steps," she pointed out.
Stubbs explained that she agrees with Ottawa's call for prioritizing a strategic plan that would keep Canada on top of the world's leading mining industries. However, she said leaders should look for more specific ways to improve the country's competitiveness.
On Monday, Ontario and Saskatchewan ministers Greg Rickford and Bronwyn Eyre expressed concerns "about how misguided federal policy will stand in the way of progress" as Ottawa continues to promote its mining plan.
According to Canadian mining outlet Resource Clips, Rickford and Eyre stressed that the government should first address challenges within the trade sector so Ontario and Saskatchewan metals will have a chance to penetrate global markets in a stable and effective manner.
The opposing ministers also vowed to "protect" the industries within their authority from carbon taxes that the federal government is planning to impose, adding that the two provinces will not promote the plan until loopholes are fixed and discussed as necessary.
In a joint statement released by the two provinces, the Ontario and Saskatchewan local governments reiterated that despite their disapproval of the plan, the provinces are still open for business and will encourage economic development, job creation, and competitiveness in the mining industry.
The statement also cited problems that the provinces' resource sectors are faced with. It stressed that Ottawa's plan does not address the challenges that Canadian provinces are suffering through as international trade falters and the economy slows down.
