According to the survey, one opinion about Quebec's mining regime was as follows:
"Canada’s Quebec province, an exploration company president said, was fast declining as a place to do business, because its government had no clear policy and was guided by the flow of public opinion rather than common sense." [Our emphasis.]
The statement above is rather meaningless since no example of "common sense" was provided.
If the statement were made to say what was most probably meant, and to be reflective of the mentality of many in the mining industry, it would go like this:
"Canada’s Quebec province, an exploration company president said, was fast declining as a place to do business, because its government had no clear policy and was being pressured by public opinion rather than just the mining industry lobby."
If you have any doubts, read this recent press release from the mining industry in Quebec:
Look who's calling the kettle black!
Another example of the power of the mining lobby in Quebec (and Canada) is clear from the fact that Yvan Loubier is a spokesperson for Uracan now. For years he used to be a Canadian and Quebec politician and is now the spokesman for a mining exploration company.
How tight the ties are.
Remember Brian Mulroney, former head of Iron Ore Co. of Canada and Canadian prime minister?
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