Christine Moore Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC

Mr. Speaker, 25,000 mining sector stakeholders and investors from many different countries will soon meet in Toronto. Every year, the government waits until the last minute to extend the tax credit for mining exploration. This year there is a lot of uncertainty because the federal budget has been postponed. That uncertainty is putting a damper on mining investment in Canada and Abitibi—Témiscamingue.

My question is simple: will the government extend the tax credit for mining exploration?

Greg Rickford Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

Mr. Speaker, the NDP is standing up for mining. I think so. It is rather ironic. When it comes to the mining exploration tax credit, the NDP voted against it every single time.

Make no mistake about it. First of all, we applaud PDAC, the largest mining conference in the world, and we wish them success. Our government is a supporter of the Canadian mining footprint around the globe and responsible resource development. We continue to lower taxes, reduce red tape, open new markets, and create the conditions for companies, for mining companies, particularly those in the extractive sector, to succeed in Canada and around the world.

We have the lowest overall tax rate for new business investments in the G7, and that is giving Canada's companies, our mining companies, a distinct advantage.

Claude Gravelle Nickel Belt, ON

Mr. Speaker, starting this weekend, more than 25,000 people from around the world will gather in Toronto for a global mining conference. Canada is a world leader in mining, but the Conservatives have failed to support mines here at home. The flow-through tax credit is set to expire in March, with no budget to renew it, and we have still seen no commitment to help unlock the potential of the Ring of Fire.

Why are the Conservatives leaving Canadian mining companies and communities in uncertainty?

Greg Rickford Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of questions coming from the NDP.

Every time we have tried to introduce an initiative for mining, the NDP has voted against it every single time. Make no mistake about it. People across northern Ontario are well aware that the Leader of the Opposition refers to mining and refers to forestry as a disease. The NDP will account for that later next fall. In the meantime, we will continue to support responsible resource development in Canada and to strengthen the conditions in which they operate here and abroad.