The province is failing to monitor mining sector: report
Posted May 3, 2016 5:52 pm.
Last Updated May 3, 2016 5:55 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – There’s no way to know if we are protected from an environmental disaster caused by mining because no one in government is checking. An audit of how mining companies comply with regulations has found the province is failing in its duty and taxpayers may end up losing.
Auditor General Carol Bellringer has found major gaps in resources, planning, and tools in both the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Environment. She believes this is a problem of priorities for both ministries on this issue.
“To meet the provincial goals for new mines and mine expansion. Both ministries are focusing on permit applications. As a result, there are few resources dedicated to the regulatory activities, compliance, and enforcement.”
Bellringer says there haven’t been enough checks on whether plans have been properly followed or if companies are violating environmental regulations.
Bellringer adds the BC Government hasn’t been making sure mining companies are contributing enough to a fund that’s there in case a mine closes and the company just leaves the mess behind. She says taxpayers will be on the hook for the costs for clean up if the money isn’t there.
The major recommendation from the report calls for the province to create a new regulatory body to enforce regulations which functions outside of the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
“The Ministry of Energy and Mines mandate to promote the development of mining in British Columbia is diametrically opposed to compliance and enforcement. Having both responsibilities within the ministry creates an irreconcilable conflict.”
It was a feisty response from Bill Bennett. He says a lot of what’s being recommended is already being brought in. The province is accepting all the recommendations except for Bellringer’s major one – separating enforcement from the ministry. Bennett says they’re establishing an internal board right now.
“We are not convinced that that board needs to be outside of the ministry. We really question whether another ministry reorganization is really the way to get to where government wants to be and frankly, where the auditor general’s office wants us to be.”
AG Bellringer calls the response a rejection of that recommendation, but Bennett says they aren’t rejecting it. They want time to look at whether it’s necessary.
