Permit to Prosperity

The core problems are duplication and poor coordination. Federal and provincial review processes often run in parallel rather than together, creating overlapping referrals, inconsistent timelines, and confusion about who is responsible for what. There is no single, predictable path through the system — which means applicants face multiple rounds of review with shifting expectations and no clear end date.

It currently takes 12 to 15 years to permit a mine in BC. Comparable jurisdictions — including some in Australia and the United States — can approve similar projects in roughly half that time, while maintaining strong environmental standards. That gap is a competitive disadvantage. When investors have alternatives, delays translate directly into lost projects.

An unpredictable, under-resourced permitting process puts First Nations at a disadvantage too. The scope of work required to meaningfully participate in a single major mine review is significant. Without adequate government funding for governance, technical, and administrative capacity, Nations are forced to respond to multiple complex referrals without the tools to do so on equal footing. Streamlining the process — and properly resourcing First Nations participation — is part of the same fix.

BC has 17 world-class critical mineral projects on the books. If permitting uncertainty pushes even a fraction of that investment to other jurisdictions, the province loses jobs, tax revenue, and long-term economic momentum at a time when demand for these minerals is accelerating globally. The IEA projects the world will need up to six times more minerals and metals by 2040. BC won’t be the only option on the table.