‘Canada just got a whole lot more attractive’: Miners laud extended tax credits – by Gabriel Friedland (Financial Post – November 23, 2018)

https://business.financialpost.com/

The percentage of investment dollars flowing into Canada for mineral exploration has declined over the past decade

The Canadian mining industry applauded the latest budget update, which provides tax credits and incentives at a time when the sector is struggling.

“To be quite candid, it is the most positive economic statement or budget for the mining sector that we have seen in years, without question,” said Pierre Gratton, of the Mining Association of Canada.

The Liberal government is targeting mining companies, both large and small, by extending the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit — which allows companies searching for new mineral deposits to pass on tax credits to their investors — from one year to five years; and, another provision allows mining companies to immediately take larger tax write offs on large capital investments in equipment and machinery.

While many of the details of these incentives are still being examined, Gratton said his initial impression is the mining sector will find many pleasant surprises. For instance, he said Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s fiscal update Wednesday restores the budget of Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, which helps the mining sector, among others, find overseas customers for its products.

The good news comes at a time when trade tension between the U.S. and China have cast doubt over global economic growth, creating headwinds for many commodities, stifling profits and making it difficult for mining companies to raise money.

For the rest of this article: https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/canada-just-got-a-whole-lot-more-attractive-miners-laud-extended-tax-credits