Please support the Three Modest Proposals concerning mining in Ontario (below) by submitting your comments on Mining Act Reform to the EBR Environmental Registry.
Once your comments have been submitted to the EBR Environmental Registry, you will not be able to see or retrieve them. As such, in order to maintain a record of some of the comments received by the Government, we ask that you post the message you are sending to the Provincial Government here first by using the "Comments" link beneath this post. You can then cut and paste the message into the EBR Environmental Registry and submit your comments to the Province.
Once you have submitted your comment to this site, we will receive an email notifying us and we will then authorize the post to this blog site.
Thanks very much for your support at this critical time!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Three Modest Proposals
THREE MODEST PROPOSALS CONCERNING MINING IN ONTARIO
Changes are urgently required to the rules that govern mining and mining exploration activities in the Province of Ontario so as to ensure that the rights, the interests and the health of the citizens of the Province are no longer made subordinate to the interests of mining firms.
While we are pleased that Minister Gravelle has acknowledged the need to modernize the Mining Act, we most strongly feel that a longer, more open and more meaningful consultation process is required, and that the proposals that have been made by affected parties after many years of considered discussion are included in the changes to the Act.
Through years of work, a number of well-informed individuals and groups have proposed three modest changes that aim to correct the most fundamental problems created by the extraordinary privileges that the current mining legislation gives to mineral exploration and mining firms.
The Three Modest Proposals listed here are consistent with what has been proposed by community groups, municipalities, environmental bodies, politicians from all levels of government, and municipal politicians working through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
These Three Modest Proposals call on the provincial government to treat all land owners fairly and equally, and to give land owners, municipalities and all affected persons a proper say in all mining-related activities that would have an impact on them, their rights, their responsibilities, their health and their livelihood.
Proposal 1: - Single Ownership - RE-UNIFY MINERALS WITH Land
The Government of Ontario re-unite all provincially-owned mining rights with land that is privately owned and municipally taxed.
This step will:
ensure that the 2% of property owners who do not own the minerals under their property have the same rights as the other 98% of property owners;
permanently resolve the problems of two owners to one property: where land owners, whose deeds assure the right to the private enjoyment of their property, can lose that right because the government allows prospectors to lay claim to the minerals under their land and to conduct exploration and mining activities on their land without the owner’s consent; and
bring an end to the discriminatory provincial mining acreage tax being levied on those properties where the owners already pay municipal taxes on their lands.
This is consistent with the resolution passed by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) on June 22, 2007
Proposal 2: - Local Planning - STRENGTHEN MUNICIPAL PLANNING POWERS
The Provincial government give municipal governments: the ability to develop and to enforce official plans including mineral land use designation; and thus the subsequent authority to zone lands so as to restrict the locations in which mining activities can be undertaken, in accordance with municipal needs.
This will result in a better balancing of the importance of mining, agriculture, recreation and tourism to the economy of Ontario, and ensure more open and transparent governance that respects the different realities in different regions of the province.
Proposal 3: - Impact Authorization - REQUIRE A REVIEW and ANALYSIS OF IMPACTS
The Provincial government require a comprehensive public review of the impacts of proposed mineral exploration and mining activities before such activities can be undertaken by anyone.
This will ensure that mineral exploration and mining activities will cause no adverse legal, health, environmental and property impacts.
These Three Modest Proposals offer a positive step towards balance, by changing provincial legislation and procedures that allow mining firms to claim and to take publicly owned minerals and to engage in mining activities in ways that put the environment, the legal rights, the properties, the investments, and the health of Ontario’s citizens at risk.
The three modest proposals are completely in line with the duty of governments:
to protect the rights and interests of all citizens;
to manage the resource wealth of the Province in a way that balances the rights and interests of all;
to protect the ecological systems upon which all citizens depend; and
to protect the health of all citizens throughout the province.
Changes are urgently required to the rules that govern mining and mining exploration activities in the Province of Ontario so as to ensure that the rights, the interests and the health of the citizens of the Province are no longer made subordinate to the interests of mining firms.
While we are pleased that Minister Gravelle has acknowledged the need to modernize the Mining Act, we most strongly feel that a longer, more open and more meaningful consultation process is required, and that the proposals that have been made by affected parties after many years of considered discussion are included in the changes to the Act.
Through years of work, a number of well-informed individuals and groups have proposed three modest changes that aim to correct the most fundamental problems created by the extraordinary privileges that the current mining legislation gives to mineral exploration and mining firms.
The Three Modest Proposals listed here are consistent with what has been proposed by community groups, municipalities, environmental bodies, politicians from all levels of government, and municipal politicians working through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
These Three Modest Proposals call on the provincial government to treat all land owners fairly and equally, and to give land owners, municipalities and all affected persons a proper say in all mining-related activities that would have an impact on them, their rights, their responsibilities, their health and their livelihood.
Proposal 1: - Single Ownership - RE-UNIFY MINERALS WITH Land
The Government of Ontario re-unite all provincially-owned mining rights with land that is privately owned and municipally taxed.
This step will:
ensure that the 2% of property owners who do not own the minerals under their property have the same rights as the other 98% of property owners;
permanently resolve the problems of two owners to one property: where land owners, whose deeds assure the right to the private enjoyment of their property, can lose that right because the government allows prospectors to lay claim to the minerals under their land and to conduct exploration and mining activities on their land without the owner’s consent; and
bring an end to the discriminatory provincial mining acreage tax being levied on those properties where the owners already pay municipal taxes on their lands.
This is consistent with the resolution passed by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) on June 22, 2007
Proposal 2: - Local Planning - STRENGTHEN MUNICIPAL PLANNING POWERS
The Provincial government give municipal governments: the ability to develop and to enforce official plans including mineral land use designation; and thus the subsequent authority to zone lands so as to restrict the locations in which mining activities can be undertaken, in accordance with municipal needs.
This will result in a better balancing of the importance of mining, agriculture, recreation and tourism to the economy of Ontario, and ensure more open and transparent governance that respects the different realities in different regions of the province.
Proposal 3: - Impact Authorization - REQUIRE A REVIEW and ANALYSIS OF IMPACTS
The Provincial government require a comprehensive public review of the impacts of proposed mineral exploration and mining activities before such activities can be undertaken by anyone.
This will ensure that mineral exploration and mining activities will cause no adverse legal, health, environmental and property impacts.
These Three Modest Proposals offer a positive step towards balance, by changing provincial legislation and procedures that allow mining firms to claim and to take publicly owned minerals and to engage in mining activities in ways that put the environment, the legal rights, the properties, the investments, and the health of Ontario’s citizens at risk.
The three modest proposals are completely in line with the duty of governments:
to protect the rights and interests of all citizens;
to manage the resource wealth of the Province in a way that balances the rights and interests of all;
to protect the ecological systems upon which all citizens depend; and
to protect the health of all citizens throughout the province.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Bancroft Uranium to expand its holdings in Tory Hill.
Bancroft Uranium Inc. is expanding its holdings in Tory Hill. According to the press release on Bancroft Uranium's website:
"Bancroft has recently implemented a land acquisition program comprised of claim staking all prospective ground that ties onto and is in proximity to the Monmouth Uranium Project. The initial size of the Monmouth claim block and Bancroft land position of 2,700 acres is being expanded to 4,200 acres.
The additional acreage is a reflection of the positive nature of the initial analyses from drill data being compiled from the 2008 spring program. As drill results and uranium assay intervals are being tabulated by Company engineers, the decision to increase claim holdings by additional staking was undertaken by Bancroft management.
In conjunction with the staking program, Bancroft is currently in ongoing discussions with other uranium exploration companies that have prospective claim holdings in proximity to the Monmouth Project. Bancroft is aggressively seeking joint venture opportunities with groups exploring in the area.
Bancroft Uranium believes that companies with mutual interests having the ultimate goal of developing uranium deposits into commercially viable operations could create a broad regional play with several companies involved. This may provide the potential for the creation of a central milling and uranium processing facility that would serve various parties in a more cost effective fashion."
Stay tuned to our website for more details as they become available.
"Bancroft has recently implemented a land acquisition program comprised of claim staking all prospective ground that ties onto and is in proximity to the Monmouth Uranium Project. The initial size of the Monmouth claim block and Bancroft land position of 2,700 acres is being expanded to 4,200 acres.
The additional acreage is a reflection of the positive nature of the initial analyses from drill data being compiled from the 2008 spring program. As drill results and uranium assay intervals are being tabulated by Company engineers, the decision to increase claim holdings by additional staking was undertaken by Bancroft management.
In conjunction with the staking program, Bancroft is currently in ongoing discussions with other uranium exploration companies that have prospective claim holdings in proximity to the Monmouth Project. Bancroft is aggressively seeking joint venture opportunities with groups exploring in the area.
Bancroft Uranium believes that companies with mutual interests having the ultimate goal of developing uranium deposits into commercially viable operations could create a broad regional play with several companies involved. This may provide the potential for the creation of a central milling and uranium processing facility that would serve various parties in a more cost effective fashion."
Stay tuned to our website for more details as they become available.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Uranium: Impact on Haliburton County An Information Session
Environment Haliburton!
presents
Uranium: Impact on Haliburton County
An Information Session
When: Saturday, May 10, 2008
12 noon – 4 p.m.
Where: Sir Sandford Fleming College
Haliburton Campus
Cost: Admission is Free
Speakers will include:
John Kittle - Overview of uranium issues and opposition in eastern Ontario
Linda Harvey (retired MD) - Health issues
John Hudson (retired United Church minister) - Effects on First Nations
Dave Burton (Reeve, Municipality of Highlands East) – Analysis from the perspective of local government
Valerie Hunnius (Paudash Lake Conservation Association) - The Paudash Lake experience, environmental impacts and clean up
Robin Simpson / Christine Atrill (F.U.M.E.) - The current situation in Highlands East
Michael Swinwood (lawyer) - Available to discuss a possible class action lawsuit
Discuss the issues and get answers to your questions
presents
Uranium: Impact on Haliburton County
An Information Session
When: Saturday, May 10, 2008
12 noon – 4 p.m.
Where: Sir Sandford Fleming College
Haliburton Campus
Cost: Admission is Free
Speakers will include:
John Kittle - Overview of uranium issues and opposition in eastern Ontario
Linda Harvey (retired MD) - Health issues
John Hudson (retired United Church minister) - Effects on First Nations
Dave Burton (Reeve, Municipality of Highlands East) – Analysis from the perspective of local government
Valerie Hunnius (Paudash Lake Conservation Association) - The Paudash Lake experience, environmental impacts and clean up
Robin Simpson / Christine Atrill (F.U.M.E.) - The current situation in Highlands East
Michael Swinwood (lawyer) - Available to discuss a possible class action lawsuit
Discuss the issues and get answers to your questions
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Algonquin Highlands Support Moratorium!
Yet another township in Haliburton County has added their voice to the growing chorus of municipalities and townships around Ontario who support a moratorium on uranium mining! On April 18th, The Township of Algonquin Highlands became number 17! We don't have much information as of yet, but we heard word today by phone that the resolution to support a moratorium on uranium mining and changes to the Mining Act was unanimously passed by the council of Algonquin Highlands.
FUME would like to thank the Township of Algonquin Highlands for their support and consideration of this issue.
FUME would like to thank the Township of Algonquin Highlands for their support and consideration of this issue.
Haliburton County Council supports moratorium!!!!
FUME is pleased to announce that on April 24, Haliburton County Council adopted a resolution asking the McGuinty government for a moratorium on uranium mining in support of the original Highlands East resolution. There is one more township to support the resolution, Minden Hills will likely vote on it at their next meeting however the Reeve and Deputy Reeve have already voted for the County resolution so it is likely to pass. That is 5 more local governments asking McGuinty to shut down uranium mining making the total 19 municipalities. Hopefully he is starting to listen.
BC bans uranium exploration!
Thu Apr 24, 9:32 PM ET
Canadian province bans uranium exploration
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - British Columbia shut the door on exploring for radioactive minerals on Thursday, saying companies cannot claim rights to them even if the discovery is by accident.
The western Canadian province does not have uranium mines, but several companies have been doing exploration work and the mineral can be found when looking for other resources. The country's only active uranium mines are in the Prairie province of Saskatchewan.
British Columbia said has revised its mining rules to prohibit companies from staking claims for uranium and thorium even when it is discovered as part of a broader project.
The province has already prohibited the building of nuclear power plants.
(Reporting Allan Dowd, editing by Rob Wilson)
Canadian province bans uranium exploration
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - British Columbia shut the door on exploring for radioactive minerals on Thursday, saying companies cannot claim rights to them even if the discovery is by accident.
The western Canadian province does not have uranium mines, but several companies have been doing exploration work and the mineral can be found when looking for other resources. The country's only active uranium mines are in the Prairie province of Saskatchewan.
British Columbia said has revised its mining rules to prohibit companies from staking claims for uranium and thorium even when it is discovered as part of a broader project.
The province has already prohibited the building of nuclear power plants.
(Reporting Allan Dowd, editing by Rob Wilson)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)