VICTORIA, B.C.: Conservative MLAs are criticizing the NDP government’s decision to quietly extend the mineral tenure freeze across parts of northwestern and north-central British Columbia for another seven months.

“Today was supposed to mark the end of the NDP government’s temporary freeze on new mineral claims in large parts of northern British Columbia. Instead, the government has once again moved the goalposts. At a time when British Columbia should be competing for mining investment, the NDP is creating more delays, more uncertainty, and more reasons for investors to look elsewhere,” said Critic for Mining and Critical Minerals Pete Davis.

“Mining companies, prospectors, workers, Indigenous communities, and local governments were told these orders would expire today. Instead, the NDP has extended them for another seven months. This is not a technical extension. It means companies cannot register new mineral claims, cannot move forward with new mining opportunities, and face continued barriers to obtaining the certainty needed to advance projects and secure investment,” said Critic for Indigenous Relations Scott McInnis.

“Placer miners in the northwest have waited 12 months for this temporary freeze to be lifted and once again the NDP has broken their word. Every month these restrictions remain in place is another month that potential jobs, economic opportunities, and responsible resource development are put on hold in northern and rural British Columbia,” said Critic for Rural Infrastructure and Rural Development Sharon Hartwell.

Davis added that, “the government should end orders that allow it, with the stroke of a pen, to close off large tracts of land by Cabinet order to allow mineral exploration to proceed. The Environmental Land Use Act is being used without consultation or engagement and is unjustly impacting 89 claimholders with more than 799 mineral tenures.”

“British Columbians are hearing all the right words from this government when it comes to mining, but they are not seeing the action,” said Davis. “They make announcements designed to give the impression that they support this industry, yet their actions continue to tell a different story. Actions speak louder than words.”

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