-The Fraser Institute surveys mining companies to see which jurisdictions they believe to be most friendly to capitalist mining industry. They are looking for low royalties, low taxes, no unions, highly developed infrastructure, the elimination of all native land rights, and NO COMMIES! Venezuela comes in dead last. The article features some hilarious quotes.

“In Venezuela, if you actually succeed in making progress with a project, Hugo Chavez will simply nationalize it. —Consulting company, Consultant”

“The new mining act in Ontario will destroy exploration due to uncertainty with respect to First Nation claims and the development of a carbon sink in James Bay lowlands and thus virtually no exploration will be conducted there. Ontario should keep the Mining Act as it is and fix the specific tax structure [they have put in place] for diamond mines as it is unfair to tax different mines at different rates. Also have the government establish rules for dealing with First Nations, not the explorers. —Consulting company, Consultant”

“The north has excellent geology but we are chasing investors away with a poor regulatory environment which enables increased demands for “baksheesh” from aboriginal communities. The Minister of INAC [Indian and Northern Affairs Canada] has the McCrank report and mining and petroleum industries’ recommendations for updating, streamlining, and clarifying the regulations for over a year and a half and we have seen no action. —Industry association, Manager”

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