Mining’s old guard needs strong medicine
A new report details subpar investor returns in the mining industry over the last decade, particularly big cap diversified companies which have not adapted to new realities.
Mining projects like northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire will not provide a “magic bullet” for aboriginal communities trying to escape poverty, former Liberal Party of Canada leader Bob Rae said Saturday at a conference.
Rae publicly supports a multi-faceted approach, one in which natural resource development happens alongside improved education, job training, and governance.
“[The Ring of Fire] is seen as the solution…but everyone has to understand that this is not the magic solution to poverty, because you’ve got to get people ready for jobs and for work,” Rae said.
“You’ve got to create the conditions under which people are able to participate in the workforce.”
One specific proposal mentioned at the conference was targeted loans to remote communities to help them to build and grow small businesses.
Rae’s comments came immediately after a visit to the remote Marten Falls First Nation, who are often without electricity and internet.
4 Comments
Phillip Martin
Bob Rae should get out to many of the 600 reserves and native settlements in Canada before he spouts comments on what is good or bad for aboriginals.
For example Alberta has many successful partnerships in business with natives in a variety of business opportunities that the media either ignore or choose to ignore as they are successful stories. In Northern Alberta in the early 70s, native unemployment was over 75%, crime high, and education for natives non-existent.
Today there is almost ZERO unemployment in the oilsands and many native businesses. Several native leaders are now millionaires and why not? They worked hard and built good partnerships. Hotels, Casinos, oilsands Contractors making over ONE BILLION yes I said ONE BILLION DOLLARS in work…if this was near Toronto Mansbridge would have reported it but he hates Alberta so nobody hears a thing.
We have First Nations engineers, business leaders, mechanics, operators, heavy haulers (trucks), electricians, millwrights, pipefitters, labourers, etc etc.
ATC (Athabasca Tribal Council) acts as a clearing house for jobs for thousands. Now in 25th year of operation. Come see us in FORT MAC. Best NATIVE SECRET IN CANADA. All to do with partnerships. But all you hear is propaganda.
VIsit us at http://WWW.CAPP.CA or call 1-780-791-4336 for info.
bm
Hey Phillip, I have an apple, would you like to compare it to an orange? You seem to be good at that.
KDM
Phillip is absolutely right when he talks of the oilsands and Ft Mac and good for the natives to be a part of it, thats the first big hurdle is wanting to be a part of it.
KDM
Not everyones fault the aboriginals cant spread their own wealth,to bad it sits right in the palm of their hands for the taking