The proposed new Québec Mining Act, also known as Bill 43, was defeated today at the Québec National Assembly. Originally tabled on May 29, 2013 by the Québec Minister of Natural Resources, Bill 43 was the latest in several recent attempts by the government of Québec to reform Québec mining legislation. Bill 43 was the subject of several special consultations and public hearings with various stakeholders throughout the months of September and October.

As a result of this process, the government had undertaken to modify certain aspects of the new Mining Act. They had agreed to consult with First Nations groups, to remove the government’s veto right with respect to the designation of zones that were compatible or incompatible with mining activities and to lessen the burden of mining producers to prove the economic non-feasibility of processing ore mined within Québec. Despite these undertakings, the authority of the government to require a mining operator to process minerals in Québec in exchange for the issuance of a mining lease remained a feature of Bill 43. In addition, the government refused calls to establish criteria for the designation of zones that were compatible or incompatible with mining activities.

Following the tabling of a report on Bill 43 by the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Energy and Natural Resources on October 2, 2013, the bill was put to debate before the National Assembly on October 3, 2013. After several debates, Bill 43 was defeated today with 51 votes in favour, 57 against and 2 abstentions.

For further information on the defeated Bill 43, please see our previous article.