Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all of the witnesses for being here and for your comprehensive and eloquent presentations.
I have a pre-political background in policy development around the full value chain of oil sands and heavy oil development, and skilled trades education. I've really valued learning more about mining, specifically.
This might be a little weird to say, but I find the mining industry to be inspirational. I'm astounded at the pioneering spirit, the risk-taking, and the benefits that are developed in the sector. I speak, I think, for all of my colleagues here. I want you to know, at least on my part, I'm committed to doing anything I can as a legislator to help further the sustainability and all the benefits the mining sector provides in Canada.
I appreciate the comments on the extension of the METC. I had the opportunity to rise in the House of Commons prior to the budget and ask them. I urged the government to extend the METC and the flow-through share provisions, so I was happy to see that. Thank you for your comments. That is an important fiscal measure.
I would welcome all of the witnesses to make any brief comments about any additional tax incentives or fiscal measures that might be helpful for investment and mining development.
I wonder, Mr. Dirom, if you might expand, for the benefit of all of our colleagues here, on one issue we haven't touched on yet.
When I met with your organization in March, in B.C., I learned about the concerns around some boundary issues with Alaska. My understanding is that the Alaskan government participates sometimes in regulatory reviews of B.C. mines and that they can put pressure on top of the already rigorous regulatory process. Of course, we know that the major industry players in the United States frequently put pressure on Canadian industries, and that the American government occasionally uses those conflicts to negotiate with the federal government.
I wonder if, for the benefit of all of us and for our information, you can provide us some context for that, and maybe just inform us about any of the issues your industry faces from American interventions in the regulatory review process.