Ontario And Quebec Make Strides In Updating Their Mining Regimes

Quebec and Ontario have made further strides in updating their mining regimes to reflect their respective needs, realities and political priorities.

In Quebec, the government recently took some major steps towards this goal by (1) tabling a proposal in May 2013 to change the mining royalty regime; (2) introducing Bill 43 on May 29, 2013, to replace the current Mining Act, which dates back to 1987; and (3) passing amendments, on July 23, 2013, to the Regulation to amend the Regulation respecting mineral substances other than petroleum, natural gas and brine in order to set new rules concerning the financial guarantees required for the restoration of mining sites.

In Ontario, the new and amended regulations under the Mining Act described in our September 2012 Legal update have since come into force, and Ontario has developed four policies relating to Aboriginal consultation that further clarify the government's expectations. Junior exploration companies have already