Mr. Speaker, today I would like to point out the importance of the mining industry in Canada.
The mining industry is a real economic generator in the country. For example, we owe 16 per cent of the country's exports to the mining industry. It accounts for 4.6 per cent of GDP and provides 100,000 high paying skilled jobs in areas of the country where there is otherwise very little economic activity.
We only have to cast our eyes about this room to recognize how important the mining industry is to our daily lives. While today's high tech and manufacturing industries rely to varying
degrees on the mining industry, the mining industry also incorporates much advanced technology in many of its processes.
We must properly recognize that the mining industry is important to our economic well-being and do what we can to keep mining in Canada.