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: 2025-11-16 to 2025-11-22

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial Government News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources Reviews Supplementary Estimates for Energy Regulator and Natural Resources: On November 24, the House of Commons Natural Resources Committee will meet to examine Supplementary Estimates (B), 2025-26, including votes for the Canadian Energy Regulator and the Department of Natural Resources. Minister Tim Hodgson and senior officials, including Deputy Minister Michael Vandergrift, are among the scheduled witnesses.
• House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology to Study Productivity Gaps and Capital Outflow: Scheduled for November 24, the Industry and Technology Committee will hear from representatives of the Centre for the Study of Living Standards, Universities Canada, the Bank of Canada, and other stakeholders regarding Canada’s underlying productivity gaps and capital outflows.
• Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Continues Offshore Petroleum Study: The Senate committee will convene November 25 to examine Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore petroleum sector, with testimony expected from Max Ruelokke and Ashley Woodward (One Ocean), among others; session is in-camera, with remote participation.
• Senate Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Schedules Further Sessions on Newfoundland’s Offshore Petroleum: An additional meeting is scheduled for November 27, continuing the review of Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore petroleum industry; witnesses to be confirmed.

Canadian Federal Government News

Canada Finalizes Regulations to Remove Barriers to Internal Trade and Labour Mobility

On November 17, the Government of Canada announced the finalized regulations under the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act, set to come into force on January 1, 2026. Minister Dominic LeBlanc described the shift as a move to unify the national economy, recognizing goods and services produced or provided in any province as compliant with federal standards. Licensed workers in any province will have their credentials recognized nationwide, reducing duplicated certifications and administrative burdens. Exceptions, including food regulated under the Safe Food for Canadians Act, are detailed in the new rules. The government will distribute a user guide in December and is cooperating with First Ministers and the Committee on Internal Trade to expand mutual recognition for consumer goods and streamline trucking regulations. The next meeting of the Committee on Internal Trade will be held November 19 in Yellowknife, NWT, focusing on service standards and reducing administrative requirements for labour mobility.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Committee Reviews Offshore Petroleum in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, chaired by Senator Joan Kingston, met November 18 to examine Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore petroleum industry. Witnesses included Ian Lee (Carleton University), who advocated prioritizing resource development in light of global demand, and Joel Finnis (climatologist), who questioned the characterization of Newfoundland's oil as 'clean' and pointed to emissions from consumption. Senators, including Miville-Dechêne and Aucoin, questioned witnesses on emissions efficiency, climate risk, and market impacts. The session covered oil's long-term investment horizon, uncertainty in future prices, and climate change impacts on new oil infrastructure. Stephen Follett (Enaimco) and Wade Locke (retired economist) discussed the economic reliance of Newfoundland's economy on resource projects such as Bay du Nord, suggesting that oil revenues could help diversify the provincial economy. The committee explored options such as carbon capture and the balance between development and long-term climate risk.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: Minerals, Energy, and Strategic Partnerships

On November 19, representatives from Global Affairs Canada appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade to review progress on the Indo-Pacific Strategy. Assistant Deputy Minister Weldon Epp detailed achievements over the past 30 months, including defense partnerships, advancement of the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and cybersecurity initiatives. The committee addressed the need for recalibrating engagement with China and India, with senators raising questions concerning private sector involvement and coordination with the United States. The strategy update, aligned with Prime Minister Carney’s priorities, seeks to expand trade and investment, particularly in energy and mineral sectors. Observers Paul Evans (UBC) and Hugh Stephens (Asia Pacific Foundation) covered geopolitical competition and stressed Canada’s potential advantages in energy and food security, along with opportunities arising from regional partnerships and trade missions.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Canada’s Natural Resource Wealth Drops 10% in 2024

Statistics Canada reported on November 20 that the value of Canada’s selected natural resource reserves fell by 10% to $1,362 billion in 2024, representing 8% of national wealth. Energy resources comprised 61% of this total, mineral resources 28%, and timber 11%. Data are based on the National Balance Sheet Accounts for Q4 2024. This decline signals shifting valuations across major resource categories.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Monthly Mineral Production and Smelting Data Issued for September

Statistics Canada released data from the Monthly Mineral Production Survey and Monthly Survey of Smelters and Metal Refineries for September, making national-level data on mined commodity volumes and refined output available for industry analysis.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Rising Industrial Product and Raw Materials Price Indexes for Mining Inputs

In October, the Industrial Product Price Index rose 1.5% month over month and 6.0% year over year, according to November 20 Statistics Canada data. The Raw Materials Price Index, which captures the cost base of mining operations, increased 1.6% over the prior month and 5.8% over the prior year.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Data Released on Energy Transportation and Storage for September

Statistics Canada’s Monthly Energy Transportation and Storage Survey data for September provides current figures on crude oil and liquid petroleum transportation and inventory levels across Canada, informing capacity and logistics planning.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Refined Petroleum Products Inventory Data Now Available for October

On November 21, Statistics Canada reported production and inventories of Canadian refined petroleum products for October, with detailed figures accessible upon request. This release aids in monitoring supply chain and inventory trends for the energy sector.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Capital Expenditures on Environmental Protection by Industry Released

Statistics Canada published estimates of capital expenditures on environmental protection for 2022 and 2023. The data covers sectors not otherwise included in the Environmental Protection Expenditures Survey, indicating broader trends in environmental capital spending by Canadian industries.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Useful Service Life Ratios of Non-Residential Capital Stock Steady Nationally in 2024

The remaining useful service life ratio for non-residential capital stock—the proportion of service life left in physical assets—held at 63.4% in 2024, unchanged for a third consecutive year. Ratios vary by region, from 49.8% in the Northwest Territories to 67.8% in British Columbia.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Ontario Secures $3.2 Billion Synthetic Graphite Facility for St. Thomas

Ontario announced a $3.2 billion investment from Vianode to construct a synthetic graphite plant in St. Thomas, supporting 300 new jobs in the initial phase and a projected 1,000 at full capacity.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ottawa and Manitoba Advance Port of Churchill Plus Infrastructure

The federal and Manitoba governments announced further collaboration on the Port of Churchill Plus, including a $51 million provincial investment for a critical minerals storage facility and Hudson Bay rail line upgrades.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

British Columbia Launches 'Look West' Economic Plan Featuring Critical Minerals

British Columbia introduced the 'Look West' plan focusing on major project delivery, expanded skills training, and sectoral growth in key areas including critical minerals, aiming to secure $200 billion in private investment over the next decade.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Nova Scotia Premier Addresses Energy and Mining at Boston Conference

Premier Tim Houston outlined Nova Scotia’s energy and resource development strategy—including offshore wind and critical minerals—at an executive conference in Boston on November 20.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

US Federal Government News

White House Grants Two-Year Regulatory Relief for U.S. Coke Production and Steel Sector

On November 21, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation suspending compliance with certain EPA Coke Oven Rule requirements for two years. The measure allows coke production facilities to maintain operations under pre-2024 environmental standards, citing the lack of commercially viable emission-control technologies required by the prior rules. The action is framed as a move to support U.S. steel production and avoid disruptions in metallurgical coke supply, with the White House highlighting the links to national security and critical industry capacity.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

EPA Seeks Comment on Oil and Gas NSPS Data Collection Extension

The Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed extension of its information collection for the New Source Performance Standards applying to oil and natural gas production and transmission facilities. Comments are open until December 18. The update affects reporting and recordkeeping for facilities subject to 40 CFR part 60, subpart OOOO, with 417 expected respondents and an annual administrative cost of $11 million.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Extends Reporting Requirements for Metal Fabrication and Steel Pickling Facilities

The EPA issued notices regarding extensions of information collection requirements for National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) covering metal fabrication, finishing, and steel pickling and recycling. Comments on these renewals are due by December 18. The regulations require facilities to submit initial notifications, ongoing reports, and compliance records for operations emitting hazardous air pollutants. The steel pickling ICR covers 100 respondents at an estimated annual burden of 35,000 hours and $4.8 million.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

BLM Finalizes Rescission of NPR-A Rule, Returns to 1977 Regulations

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management on November 17 issued a rule rescinding the 2024 National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Rule, shifting management back to the 1977 framework. The action removes previous procedural hurdles to oil and gas leasing and restates statutory mandates for energy development under the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act. Environmental review requirements remain in place.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission Reschedules Meeting

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission announced on November 20 that its meeting, initially set for October 15, is now scheduled for December 2, 2025. The change affects proceedings related to mine safety enforcement and regulatory matters.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Barrick Mining, Mali in talks to resolve dispute over gold mine: Barrick Mining enters discussions with Mali to settle operational disagreements at a major gold mine.
• First Nation-owned magnesium mine in Manitoba draws comparison to Ring of Fire: A Manitoba First Nation-owned magnesium project is seen as potentially more viable than Ontario’s Ring of Fire, according to expert opinions.
• Foremost Clean Energy announces high-grade gold intercepts at Jean Lake Project: Drilling at Jean Lake returned significant shallow gold intersections, including 34.2 g/t over 0.8m.
• White Gold Corp. welcomes federal support for Yukon resource development: White Gold Corp. publicly welcomes nation-building investments and resource development initiatives in Yukon.
• First Atlantic Nickel highlights awaruite as smelter-free nickel-cobalt supply: Awaruite, a naturally magnetic nickel-cobalt alloy, is presented by First Atlantic Nickel as a smelter-free critical minerals option.
• QGold initiates preliminary assessment at Quartz Mountain Gold Project: QGold begins preliminary economic analysis at its newly acquired Oregon gold project.
• GoldHaven drills sulphide mineralization at Copecal Gold Project: Drilling at GoldHaven’s Copecal project yields sulphide mineralization in recent work.
• Namib Minerals to host business update call: Namib Minerals schedules a shareholder business update via conference call.
• Ottawa’s critical mineral development initiatives debated: Analysts respond to federal policy support for critical mineral development, noting optimism as well as reservations.
• Permian shale rigs idle as US$60 oil prompts layoffs: Lower oil prices result in idling of shale rigs and workforce reductions in the Permian Basin.

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