Canada Introduces Critical Minerals Strategy

As Canadian Manufacturing reported, on December 9, Canada’s government announced its Critical Minerals Strategy, which will be backed by at least $3.8 billion in federal funding.

The government said the strategy is “a roadmap to creating significant wealth and sustainable jobs … And a roadmap to making Canada a clean energy and technology supplier of choice in a net-zero world.”

The funding would cover industrial activities such as manufacturing and recycling applications and research, development, and technological deployment. The strategy focuses on opportunities for Canada’s 31 critical minerals, including aluminum, lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, and copper.

The government’s stated goal is five-fold:

• Supporting economic growth, competitiveness and job creation;
• Promoting climate action and environmental protection;
• Advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples;
• Fostering diverse and inclusive workforces and communities; and
• Enhancing global security and partnership with allies.

The strategy outlines concrete measures to accelerate regulatory processes at the sub-national, national, and international levels and to ensure the strategy is in line with Canada’s climate and nature protection goals.

“Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy will enable this country to seize the generational economic opportunity presented by critical minerals, creating sustainable, well-paying jobs while growing our economy,” said Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson. “It will position Canada as the global supplier of choice for the critical minerals and clean technologies needed for the green, digital global economy — and it will help advance economic reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.”