The number of mining claims in Quebec has jumped 65% in the space of two years, according to figures provided by the Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Maïté Blanchette Vézina.
More than 182,800 claims were in effect on Quebec territory at the end of the 2020-2021 fiscal year. This number has increased to 302,564 as of February 28, 2023, revealed Mme Blanchette Vézina during the study of the budgetary appropriations of her department, Tuesday, at the National Assembly.
Approximately 9% of these claims are located in southern Quebec, with the vast majority being further north in the province.
The claims currently represent 16 million hectares, equivalent to less than 10% of the area of Quebec, indicated Mr.me Blanchette Vézina, then followed by the united deputy Alejandra Zaga Mendez.
“There is indeed an increase in the number of claims, which is not, and I repeat, dependent on the mines, which fluctuates according to the value of the potential minerals”, affirmed the Minister.
The claim is the mining title granting an exclusive right to carry out exploration work for mineral substances. The vast majority do not necessarily end up at the exploitation stage.
Exploratory work is currently taking place in 20% of the claims, but only 1% of them are targeted by “more advanced” work with “impacts”, specified the Minister. This work consists in particular of small blasting, the development of trails and logging.
The explosion in the granting of mining titles is causing growing concern among the population. A coalition of organizations is calling for a moratorium on claims, to which the minister closed the door last March.
She believes that this would send the wrong message that “Quebec is slowing down the decarbonization of the economy”, while certain minerals allow the manufacture of electric vehicles and bicycles.
Mme Zaga Mendez explained that certain regions have experienced a “metarous” increase in claims, such as Lanaudière, the Outaouais and the Laurentians.
“Right now, people are getting up and seeing entire villages being claimed,” said the MP for Verdun on Tuesday.
Mme Blanchette Vézina wanted to be reassuring, repeating that the mining industry must comply with “strict rules”.
She also recalled that public consultations on the supervision of mining activities are underway. Pressed with questions, the Minister did not want to come forward on the measures she would like to implement to ensure “harmonious development” of this sector, preferring to wait for the conclusions of the consultations.
“Everything is on the table,” said Mr.me Blanchette Vezina.
During this time, the MRCs can identify “territories incompatible with mining activity”. However, this designation must receive the approval of the Government of Quebec. The latter is to revise its orientations in connection with the process, indicated the minister.
” Of the peanuts » in royalties
Mme Zaga Mendez criticized the Legault government for giving “tax gifts” to mining companies which paid around 926 million in royalties in 2021.
This amount represents peanuts “Compared to the 9.9 billion generated by the industry, mentioned the elected representative of Québec solidaire, who calls for an increase in royalties for natural resources.
“Perhaps you consider 926 million to be peanutsbut for Quebecers, I don’t think it’s peanutsretorted M.me Blanchette Vezina. It’s a peak since 2014 and it’s a significant amount. »
The minister also defended tax relief, presenting it as a way to encourage investment in Quebec for the development of the battery industry.
Mme Zaga Mendez believes that the CAQ government continues with “this logic that Quebec is a colony”.
“We are developing a strategy (critical minerals) which will increase the pressure on our territory, which will continue to give tax relief to companies. The royalties are not received by our MRCs, the municipalities that live with all the consequences of exploration and mining activities,” she said.
Just before, the Associate Deputy Minister of Mines, Nathalie Camden, had just explained that the royalties are used to finance the activities of the ministry as well as its subsidy programs.
The public consultation procedures on the mining activity must be concluded on May 19. The filing of a report will then follow.