Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association

Flin Flon, Manitoba

Box 306

12 Mitchel Rd, Flin Flon Manitoba, Canada, R8A 1N1

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April 14, 2016

Attention to the Honorable Brian Pallister

Dear Brian

RE-Boreal Initiative

I am Stephen Masson, President of the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association (MSPDA), President of a public Exploration Company (Copper Reef Mining Corporation -Head Office Flin Flon) and sit on the board of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC).

The two Manitoba Prospector Association have very grave concerns for how the Boreal Initiative to create over 50% of boreal forest into Parkland will have on our industry and on Northern Communities. This initiative is headed by the American based PEW foundation that is funding and steering it.

Our Association sat as part of northern stakeholders group in a number of meetings and conference calls to look at this initiative. The group included representatives and economic development officers from northern cities, First nation communities , First Nation and Metee Groups, the mining association, prospector association, loggers and pulp and paper companies, tourist and outfitters industry and government officials. The problem as I saw it was that the agenda was very much driven by those than wanted Parks over development and was the resultant document that many signed onto was filled with feel good motherhood statements. They created a document which you probably have by now or will shortly, that reads well and looks like we are all speaking with one voice, however we do not, and not everyone has signed on.

The creation of vast parks across the boreal of Manitoba will sterilize permanently land from future development and  ironically this land for the most part is not threatened at all. Future Flin Flon and Thompson like mining camps which really power the north may never be found let alone developed. First nations peoples will remain in their “wilderness ghetto’s” without new opportunities for a better quality of life and a future for their children. They do not need more wilderness they need opportunities to have jobs and transferable skill sets. Parks will not do anything to elevate this or give youth something to look forward to. The suicide rate for which Manitoba has the highest in Canada among aboriginal people has its roots in poverty and lack of opportunities. Exploration and mining in the north can provide those opportunities, Parks will not. The mining and exploration industry is the largest employer of aboriginal people in Canada.

To our great disappointment the Mining Association of Manitoba signed on to this imitative mainly because most of their exploration is in their established camps and are not threatened by these new Parks. They however are strongly influenced by Hudbay and Vale-Inco who appear to be more and more focusing their efforts outside Manitoba.  With HudBay and Vale exploration areas in established camp they feel their short term interest is secure so their concern is at a lower level that the prospector or small Junior Company out to make discoveries where ever we find it. The Prospectors Association members, many who live in the north, have a vested interest in protecting areas for development not against development. Manitoba has enormous mineral potential like Saskatchewan but unlike Saskatchewan, Manitoba is removing millions of square kilometers from exploration and that includes Manitoba’s vast untapped diamond and rare earth potential in the far north.

We ask you to read our attached letter which outlines in detail our objections to the boreal initiative which if implemented will have long term detriments to northern people, existing communities and the economy of the province.

If you win the election the Conservatives could really be a force for change for the better in creating development in the north and opportunities for those that live here.

Sincerely

Stephen Masson