Mining Association of Canada comments on cabinet shuffle

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Member of Parliament. — Photo courtesy Mining Association of Canada (MAC)

OTTAWA, July 18, 2018 /CNW/ - The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) welcomes the appointment of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi as Canada's new Minister of Natural Resources, succeeding the Honourable Jim Carr, who will now be Canada's Minister of International Trade Diversification.

MAC valued the relationship it had with Minister Carr over the past several years. During his tenure with Natural Resources Canada, Minister Carr oversaw the launch and development of a new federal-provincial Minerals and Metals Strategy, focused on protecting and growing one of Canada's most important economic sectors.

"Minister Carr brings to his new role an appreciation for the fact that Canada's mining sector is a global leader and one of the country's largest international investors," said Pierre Gratton, President and CEO for MAC. "We are pleased to continue to have the opportunity work with him in his new position, given its relevance to our sector."

MAC looks forward to working with Minister Sohi towards the finalization and launch of this pan-Canadian strategy, knowing that he brings to this portfolio a strong knowledge of the critical importance of new infrastructure to attracting new mining investment, as well as an understanding of Edmonton's importance as a northern hub for mining supplies and services, notably to the oil sands and diamond sectors.

"Two strong ministers in two key positions for Canada's mining sector is welcome news," continued Gratton. "We look forward to working closely with both of them."

MAC also congratulates the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson on his appointment to Cabinet as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, having worked closely with him in his previous position as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

The mining industry is a major sector of Canada's economy, contributing $57.6 billion to national GDP and responsible for 19 percent of the value of Canadian goods exports in 2016. Canada's mining sector employs 596,000 people directly and indirectly across the country. The industry is proportionally the largest private sector employer of Indigenous peoples in Canada and a major customer of Indigenous-owned businesses.

About MAC

The Mining Association of Canada is the national organization for the Canadian mining industry. Its members account for most of Canada's production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical coal, mined oil sands and industrial minerals and are actively engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi-fabrication. Please visit www.mining.ca.