New NDP bill would create Northern Ontario jobs

NEWS RELEASE

MICHAEL MANTHA, MPP
ALGOMA-MANITOULIN

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Mantha tables bill for job creation in mining sector

QUEEN’S PARK - Today in the legislature, Ontario NDP Mining Critic Michael Mantha tabled his private members bill entitled the Mining Amendment Act (Resources Processed in Ontario).

Mantha’s bill would stimulate job growth in Ontario by amending the Ontario Mining Act to require Ontario resources to be refined and processed in the province.

“Not only does Ontario posses large deposits of minerals and ores, it also has the facilities and skills that it takes to process these raw materials right at home. This bill will enable us to take advantage of our vast natural resources, our tremendously skilled work force, and existing processing facilities,” said Mantha.

The NDP bill will encourage job creation in refining and manufacturing across the province.

Currently, if a mining company wishes to process resources outside of Canada it can ask for an exemption under the Mining Act.

One of the big producers in the Ring of Fire has already indicated its intention to ship resources to China for processing.

“The Ring of Fire presents immense opportunities for Northern Ontario and the province. We as a province need to make sure that Ontarians are taking advantage of the wealth of natural resources that the North has to offer. The Northern economy has suffered huge losses in manufacturing and other sectors; this is a perfect opportunity to reinstate good, value-added jobs in the North,” said Mantha.

“We have smelting facilities in Timmins, and steel production facilities in Hamilton and Sault Ste Marie. Instead of giving away jobs and revenue by shipping the raw materials around the world to be processed, Ontario can become a powerhouse in North American steel production,” said Mantha.