The group said resource industries were the backbone of Ontario's economy but the regulatory and financial burden associated with the sector was threatening its competitiveness.

They want the incoming government to consider addressing the red tape and cost burden, energy costs, skills training, build capacity in Aboriginal communities and support Northern Ontario infrastructure.

The group's members included representatives from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the forestry industry, Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business, Ontario Mining Association (OMA) and Ontario Prospectors Association (OPA).

"In the last 15 years, the exploration within Ontario has not discovered new mineral deposits at a rate that replaces the deposits being mined," OPA president and CEO Garry Clarke said.

"The province is at a critical point where exploration needs assistance to address the challenges to get boots on the ground as quickly as possible."

OMA president and CEO Chris Hodgson said the next government had "much to gain" from building on Ontario's competitive advantage, namely that it was rich in resources, the industry mined them responsibly and was committed to innovation to reduce its environmental footprint.

Ontario was seventh in terms of global investment attractiveness in the latest rankings by the Fraser Institute, and third in the AAA-rated top jurisdictions in Mining Journal's inaugural World Risk Report 2017 (feat. MineHutte ratings).

The Ontario Liberal party is aiming for a fifth consecutive win in the province's general election being held on June 7.

Mining Journal is again running its World Risk Survey as part of its World Risk Report, which is aiming to provide risk ratings for more than 100 jurisdictions worldwide. To contribute to this research and rate one or more jurisdictions, please click here to take the survey.