Whereas BC local governments wish to make decisions about building back better in a smart, sustainable way that creates jobs and achieves net-zero emissions; And whereas Geoscience BC generates independent, relevant, public earth science research and data about British Columbias minerals, energy and water resources: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia work with Geoscience BC and the Government of Canada to continue funding for Geoscience BC to undertake critical earth science research that helps achieve net-zero emission targets, builds partnerships, creates jobs and attracts investment by:- Investing 5 million annually in Geoscience BC; and- Assisting Geoscience BC to establish a sustainable long-term funding model.
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Geoscience BC provides valuable geoscience information to inform natural resource decisions and attract investment to local communities. Over the past number of years their role has evolved to support different industries as well as provincial environmental goals. Geoscience BC has made several changes to establish sustainable long-term funding and the Province supports their efforts to be self-sustaining. The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation has continued to support Geoscience BC through direct investment in projects of interest and will evaluate future collaboration opportunities on a case-by-case basis.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry I have reviewed the resolution and the organization Geoscience BC, and I appreciate your focus on supporting earth science research with the goal of achieving net-zero emission targets, building partnerships, creating jobs, and attracting investments. Public geoscience is vital to our work supporting Canadas critical minerals as we seek to expand our capabilities, including geological mapping, geophysical surveying, scientific assessments, and data. The Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy received up to 3.8 billion in Budget 2022 to support the development of critical mineral value chains across Canada. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will have an important role supporting this Strategy through a proposed 1.5-billion envelope under the Strategic Innovation Fund, which will advance Canadas industrial capabilities for critical mineral processing, manufacturing, and recycling. The lead at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada ISED for these initiatives is Eric Costen, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of the Industry Sector, to whom I have forwarded a copy of our exchange of correspondence so that he and his team are aware of your resolution and initiatives. The Strategy also includes funding for geoscience to better assess and identify Canadas critical mineral deposits. However, please note that responsibility for federal geoscience, including geoscience funding and proposed work under the forthcoming Critical Minerals Strategy, rests with Natural Resources Canada. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of also sharing a copy of this correspondence with my colleague, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, for his information. - The Honourable Francouis-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P.