Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning metals and non-metals miners, explorers and prospectors. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Mining? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Manufacturing and Oil & Gas.

Dates: 2025-11-02 to 2025-11-08

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial Government News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal Government News

Minister Lightbound schedules federal Buy Canadian Policy announcement

Minister Joël Lightbound is set to announce Budget 2025 investments designed to advance Canada’s Buy Canadian Policy, with a press event scheduled for November 10 in Saguenay, Quebec. The measures aim to make the federal government a primary customer for domestic firms, with implications for industry supply chains, procurement, and project eligibility. Details of the policy and associated investment levels are to be clarified during the event, and industry stakeholders have been invited to confirm participation for further information. This move may influence prioritization of Canadian-sourced goods and services across federal procurement, impacting sectors including mining, equipment manufacturing, and resource processing. Full event logistics are being coordinated by Public Services and Procurement Canada.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Budget 2025’s Buy Canadian Policy touted for resource, steel, and energy supply chain support

Secretary of State John Zerucelli will spotlight the new Buy Canadian Policy at Tenaris in Sault Ste. Marie on November 10. Accompanied by MP Terry Sheehan, Zerucelli will detail upcoming federal budget investments intended to reinforce resource sector supply chains, support the steel industry, and sustain energy infrastructure projects. Press attendance is by prior registration. Stakeholders in steel production, pipeline supply chains, and resource infrastructure are anticipated to engage with the policy’s implications for procurement standards and sourcing practices.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Climate Competitiveness Strategy and Budget 2025 measures to be announced in Calgary

Minister Eleanor Olszewski and Parliamentary Secretary Corey Hogan are scheduled for a November 9 media event in Calgary at the Energy Environment Experiential Learning Building. The announcement will feature Budget 2025’s provisions supporting Canada’s Climate Competitiveness Strategy. Scheduled discussions will address overlaps between environmental policy, industrial competitiveness, and proposed investment flows impacting resource and energy sectors. Post-announcement media access is arranged for further industry inquiries.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada deepens economic ties with Saudi Arabia; mining sector flagged as strategic area

Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu convened a bilateral meeting in Ottawa with Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, resulting in the launch of Foreign Investment and Protection Agreement negotiations and the reactivation of the Joint Economic Commission. Both governments signalled active pursuit of business and trade opportunities, including in mining, AI technologies, defense, and infrastructure, reinforced by a recent memorandum aligning Export Development Canada with the Saudi EXIM Bank. Canadian resource and technology firms may anticipate new investment avenues and direct engagement with Saudi partners under the treaty mechanism.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada-Pakistan Joint Statement opens critical minerals discussions

A bilateral statement from Ministers Anita Anand and Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar confirmed progress toward a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, and new arrangements for Canadian canola exports to Pakistan. Both governments agreed to broaden collaboration across energy security and critical minerals, with Canadian firms referenced as contributors to Pakistan’s mineral sector development and clean energy objectives. Ongoing dialogues target expanded government and private-sector partnerships in the resource field.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Supply and use tables for 2022 released by Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada has published updated supply and use tables for national, provincial, and territorial economies for 2022. The dataset offers insight into the flow of goods and services, intermediate inputs, and value-added production, serving as a foundational reference for modeling industry linkages and quantifying sectoral contributions, including mining and resource extraction.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Refined petroleum end usage rises in 2024; secondary distributor sales decrease

Recent Statistics Canada data indicate that sales of refined petroleum products to end-users reached 89.6 million cubic metres in 2024, a 0.7% rise over 2023. Conversely, secondary distributor sales declined by 1.9% year-over-year to 23.4 billion litres, with product allocation comprising motor gasoline (50.5%), diesel fuel oil (43.5%), light and heavy fuel oils. These changes may signal evolving demand pathways and distribution channel adjustments in petroleum product supply chains.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca

New data on Canadian business financing for first half of 2025

The Biannual Survey of Suppliers of Business Financing for H1 2025 is now available from Statistics Canada. The data set provides updated figures on credit availability, lending volumes, and financing conditions for business sectors, with industry-level granularity relevant for mining companies seeking or renewing commercial credit lines.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Manitoba launches feasibility study for critical mineral development infrastructure

The Manitoba government, in partnership with the Canada Infrastructure Bank and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, allocated $1 million to assess northern infrastructure needs for critical mineral development, covering transportation and utilities.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Premier Smith promotes Alberta energy sector at ADIPEC and Middle East mission

Alberta’s Premier joined the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference to facilitate trade and investment relationships, announcing a new international office in Abu Dhabi for resource and tech sector connectivity.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Draft and approved regulatory changes for geologists published in Quebec

The Office des professions du Québec released a draft amendment to the Code of Ethics for Geologists and confirmed approval of updated regulations regarding practice organization; a 45-day review process is underway.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Alberta releases Upper Smoky Sub-Regional Plan for economic activity and conservation

A new zoning framework in the Upper Smoky region divides 13,000 km² into areas for conservation and regulated development, with the plan impacting forestry, energy, and recreation starting January 2026.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Manitoba introduces immediate tax exemption for new manufacturing equipment

The Manitoba government proposed legislation converting a portion of the Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit into a retail sales tax exemption on new machinery, affecting upfront cost structures for manufacturers.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

US Federal Government News

USGS finalizes 2025 List of Critical Minerals

The U.S. Geological Survey has published the final 2025 List of Critical Minerals, designating 60 materials as essential to national security, economic stability, and supply chain resilience. The revised list, issued in accordance with the Energy Act of 2020, incorporates minerals such as uranium and rare earths, and updates methodology to better assess supply risk and economic impact. The process involved input from multiple federal agencies.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

US Executive Order grants regulatory relief for copper smelters

Proclamation 10987, signed by President Donald J. Trump, provides a two-year exemption from new EPA Copper Rule emissions-control requirements for certain stationary sources, citing the importance of domestic smelting capacity for U.S. mineral independence and supply chain stability. The Copper Rule, adopted in May 2024, had mandated technology deemed commercially unfeasible by industry.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA proposes new Significant New Use Rules under TSCA

The EPA issued proposed new use rules for select chemical substances under TSCA, requesting 90-day advance notification before certain industrial or commercial activities begin. The measures affect manufacturing and processing protocols, requiring compliance with new occupational and environmental safety practices. The comment period closes on December 3, 2025.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BOEM updates restricted joint bidders list for OCS oil and gas sales

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management published a new list of restricted joint bidders, effective through April 2026, which specifies which entities may not jointly bid in federal oil and gas lease sales on the Outer Continental Shelf. Major groups include BP, Chevron, Eni, Equinor, ExxonMobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies, with restrictions also linked to production thresholds.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House modifies tariff policy following US-China mineral deal

On November 4, President Trump issued an executive order adjusting reciprocal tariff rates as part of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Arrangement with China. The agreement commits China to lift critical mineral export controls and end retaliatory tariffs, while the U.S. suspends previous duties on Chinese imports until November 2026, with contingencies for non-compliance.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Government Consultations

Consultation on Lynn Lake Gold Project decision statement amendments

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada opened a public comment period through November 15 on proposed amendments to the decision statement for the Lynn Lake Gold Project in Manitoba.

Sources: iaac-aeic.gc.ca

Consultation launched on Indigenous engagement requirements for nuclear projects

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is consulting on REGDOC-3.2.2, outlining expectations for licensee engagement with Indigenous communities where proposed projects may trigger the Crown's duty to consult; feedback will be accepted until March 9, 2026.

Sources: www.cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Mining companies welcome Sask.'s newly introduced mining development powers: Saskatchewan’s new mining development legislation receives industry approval.
• Pimco, L&G Are Among Managers Supporting Mining Investment: Investment managers signal backing for increased mining sector allocation.
• NexGold Achieves Critical Permitting Milestone; Receives Final Federal Approval for the Goldboro Gold Project: NexGold receives final federal permit for the Goldboro Gold Project.
• Ottawa's deal with graphite miner could be the template Canada needs to crack China's grip on critical minerals: Federal support for a Quebec graphite mine may inform broader mineral strategy.
• Saudi Investment Minister eyes opportunities in Canada in fields such as food, mining: Saudi officials discuss prospective Canadian mining investments.
• Northern Ontario chiefs step up demands for consultation in resource projects: Indigenous leaders press for greater consultation in Ring of Fire developments.
• Smackover Lithium Files Maiden Inferred Resource for Its Franklin Project in East Texas, Containing the Highest Reported Lithium-in-Brine Grades in North America: Smackover Lithium reports maiden resource with high lithium-in-brine grades.
• Mining, forestry industries in N.B. could benefit from federal budget: New Brunswick mining and forestry sectors stand to gain from new federal budget measures.
• Feds pitch $2B fund for critical minerals investments, including equity stakes: Federal government proposes a $2B fund to support critical minerals projects.
• Feds pitch $2B fund for critical minerals investments, including equity stakes: Additional coverage of federal investment fund targeting critical minerals.

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