Mr. Speaker, yesterday I heard the president of the Mining Association of Canada testify before the natural resources committee. I was sorry to hear him say that the mining industry remains very disappointed at the pace of improving federal mining regulations.
The media claim that the natural resources minister wants binding timelines for environmental reviews. That would be a good start, but many other improvements are needed.
As a Liberal member of the committee pointed out, mining approvals in our NAFTA partner, Mexico, commonly take six months. In Canada it can take two to ten years.
I supported the committee's interim report on improving mining regulations which was tabled in December. The government is allowed 150 days to produce a believable response. I urge the government to use its time well and be able to announce it has achieved clarity, promptness and certainty in mining regulations, not just more good intentions tied up in government red tape.