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Government of Canada releases Critical Minerals Strategy

VANCOUVER — The Government of Canada announced Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy, backed by up to $3.8 billion in federal funding allocated in Budget 2022. The proposed funding covers industrial activities, from geoscience and exploration to mineral processing, manufacturing and recycling applications, including support for research, development and technological deployment.

“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 Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources. “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. I would like to thank those who have contributed to the development of this Strategy, and I look forward to working with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, labour groups, industry and stakeholders in its implementation.”

The strategy maps out how Canada can seize this opportunity in a way that accomplishes five key outcomes:

• 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 focuses on opportunities along the value chain for Canada’s 31 critical minerals,— including lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, copper, rare earth elements, potash, uranium and aluminum.

The strategy outlines concrete measures to accelerate regulatory processes at the sub-national, national and international levels; to ensure meaningful and ongoing Indigenous partnership throughout the value chain; and to ensure that the strategy is in line with Canada’s climate and nature protection goals.