Minister Wilkinson Positions Canada as Supplier of Choice for Critical Minerals and Clean Technologies at PDAC

Source: | · GOVERNMENT OF CANADA · | March 08, 2023

Source: Mining Weekly

There is no global clean energy future without accelerated activity along the critical minerals value chain. Critical minerals are not just the building blocks of clean technology like solar panels and electric vehicle batteries — they are a key ingredient for creating middle-class jobs and growing a strong, globally competitive Canadian economy.

The move toward a global net-zero economy is generating a significant increase in demand for critical minerals and the clean technologies they enable around the world, creating a generational opportunity for Canadian workers and Canadian businesses. Concurrent geopolitical dynamics have caused like-minded countries to reflect on the need to have stable and secure supplies of these resources and technologies — produced in a way that is compatible with science-driven climate and nature goals and in meaningful consultation and partnership with Indigenous Peoples.

It is in this context that representatives from governments and businesses around the world gathered this week in Toronto for the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention — the world’s premier annual exploration and mining event.

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, along with the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry; the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development; the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor; the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario; and Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, participated in the convention in order to position Canada as the global supplier of choice for critical minerals and the clean technologies they enable. Over the course of four days, Minister Wilkinson announced:

●      over $344 million for five new programs and initiatives under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy and over $14 million for six projects under the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration program;