The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is a national association representing the mineral exploration and development industry. The association¡¯s convention is the world¡¯s largest annual gathering of the mineral industry, focusing on exploration, discovery and development of new mines and innovative developments. The 2013 PDAC Convention was held March 3-6 at the Metro-Toronto Convention Centre.
The MNO was well-represented at the conference by President Gary Lipinski; Marlene Davidson, President of the MNO Atikokan and Area M¨¦tis Council; Nelson Montreauil, President of MNO Mattawa M¨¦tis Council; Marc Laurin, President of MNO North Bay M¨¦tis Council; Nina Henley, Secretary-Treasurer for the MNO Kenora M¨¦tis Council; Regional Councillors Juliette Denis, Theresa Stenlund, Cameron Burgess, Ernie Gatien among other MNO representatives.
The conference featured an MNO information booth which was visited by hundreds of government representatives and members of the mineral exploration and development industry. MNO staff distributed information, answered questions about M¨¦tis rights and provided guidance on the process by which government and proponents need to consult with the rights-bearing M¨¦tis communities across the M¨¦tis homeland of Ontario.
Amongst notable visitors, MNO President Gary Lipinski and MNO representatives had the opportunity to meet with Premier Kathleen Wynne; David de Launary, Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for the Ring of Fire Secretariat; Lori Churchill, Community Capacity and Economic Development Senior Policy Advisor for the Right of Fire Secretariat; and the Hon. Michael Gravelle, Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines.