The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Manitoba remains well outside its former top 10 ranking in an influential list of the world's most attractive mining jurisdictions. The Fraser Institute recently ranked Manitoba 21st out of 96 jurisdictions in terms of their appeal to mining investors. The opposition Progressive Conservatives immediately pointed the finger at the governing NDP. 'The NDP is driving business away with poor policy,' said PC leader Brian Pallister. 'We must create a climate where we can compete with other jurisdictions. Companies have a choice and they won't come here if the business climate is hostile.' But Mines Minister Dave Chomiak told the Winnipeg Free Press that his government is working to address mining company concerns and that low commodity prices have impacted the entire sector. Mining and exploration now directly employ 5,500 people in Manitoba. The PCs said that is lower than the 6,400 jobs in the industry at this time last year. But it's not clear whether government policy had anything to do with the job losses. In Flin Flon, for instance, last year's closure of the Trout Lake mine came simply because the mine had run out of viable ore.
