Thank you, Tara.
Our association, representing 8,000 members, individual and corporate, exists to protect and promote mineral exploration and to ensure a robust mining industry in Canada.
Our recommendations to this committee are the following.
First, make the current mineral exploration tax credit a permanent feature of the federal tax policy. The credit has been a great success; however, it must be renewed each year in order to continue. It is due to expire on March 31, 2012.
Second, we support continued investment in geoscience. The work of the Geological Survey of Canada, as well as provincial and territorial surveys, has been fundamental to a detailed understanding of the land and resources. Programs such as geo-mapping for energy and minerals encourages new investment and job creation.
Our final recommendation is to promote good social responsibility and environmental practices by clarifying the interpretation of tax rules that govern the eligibility of community consultation and environmental compliance costs.
To conclude, mineral exploration and mining is fundamental to Canada's economic growth and we are world leaders in this industry. The recommendations we ask this committee to consider will help to ensure that exploration dollars continue to be spent in Canada.
Thank you.