Kootenay East MLA and Shadow Minister for Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Tom Shypitka is unimpressed by B.C.’s newly unveiled Critical Mineral Strategy.
“After seven years under the NDP, B.C.’s mining sector continues to suffer due to our province’s complete lack of tax and regulatory competitiveness, ongoing goalpost shifts, and permit paralysis, resulting in capital fleeing the province,” said Shypitka. “Despite having the lowest emissions, B.C.’s mining sector is shelling out the world’s highest carbon taxes under the NDP’s ‘CostBC’ scheme.”
Shypitka feels there is a particular lack of competitive fiscal policy.
“We have the lowest emitting products anywhere in the world, and yet we pay the highest price in carbon,” said Shypitka. “We are at such a disadvantage comparatively. The products have some barriers, geological and geographical barriers that you can’t really control, and the fiscal policy is a huge barrier.”
Shypitka, as a representative with BC United, said his party has worked on a plan dedicated to B.C.’s mineral sector.
“In stark contrast to the NDP’s seven years of neglect for the mining sector, BC United has a plan that ensures competitive tax rates for the mining sector, eliminates excessive carbon taxes, streamlines project development processes for efficiency, and positions B.C. as a key provider of low-carbon minerals and technologies crucial for a sustainable future,” added Shypitka. “It’s why we’ve committed to scrapping the NDP’s destructive ‘CostBC’ plan, and are focused on real climate results while providing more jobs, higher incomes and lower taxes.”
The issue is particularly significant to the MLA, as Shypitka’s riding encompasses the Elk Valley and its coal mines.
He said the products from the region could help further boost the province’s economy.
“Geoscience BC just came out with a report identifying rare earth elements in metallurgical coal,” said Shypitka. “This adds another layer of how we can support the world and be global leaders on critical metals and minerals by extracting those rare earth elements from our coal and being big players in the world market.”