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: 2025-12-22 to 2026-01-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Government invests $850,000 in Indigenous engagement for critical minerals development

On January 14, Natural Resources Canada announced a federal investment exceeding $850,000 in 14 Indigenous economic development projects across Northern Ontario. The Honourable Patty Hajdu detailed that the funding will focus on engagement, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing linked to critical minerals-related clean energy and transportation infrastructure. These projects are intended to support local economies and infrastructure associated with the expansion of mining activities. The investment aligns with federal priorities around improving Indigenous participation in resource development, particularly in areas with significant mineral extraction potential.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund backs Indigenous capacity initiatives

Natural Resources Canada released further details on funding recipients under the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund’s Indigenous Grants stream on January 14. The announcement provides specifics on 14 projects, distributed across British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, targeting clean energy integration, transmission upgrades for lithium mining, and strategic planning for critical mineral expansion. Projects include capacity building for the Seabridge Gold KSM copper venture, site visits for hydroelectric redevelopment (Anyox), planning for biomass energy in Saskatchewan, and multi-community engagement regarding the Greenstone Transmission Line upgrades supporting lithium developments. The funding spans infrastructure feasibility studies, training on impact assessment methods, and consultations for large-scale projects such as the Ring of Fire and NexGen’s Rook 1 uranium mine.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada-Saudi Arabia sign Memorandum of Understanding to expand minerals trade

On January 14, Parliamentary Secretary Claude Guay, representing Natural Resources Canada, completed a two-day mission at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh. Canada executed a formal partnership agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to promote trade and investment in critical minerals, including battery supply chains. The mission featured bilateral meetings with Saudi mining companies and finalized a partnership between Canada’s Northern Graphite and Saudi Arabia’s Obeikan Investment Group to develop anode material processing. Canada’s participation showcased its expertise in ESG standards and mineral sector technology and supports stated goals to catalyze $500 billion in global private sector investments and double non-U.S. exports by 2036.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal initiates preliminary injury inquiry on Chinese forged grinding media

On January 12, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) began a preliminary injury inquiry concerning alleged dumping and subsidizing of forged grinding media from China, based on a complaint submitted by Moly-Cop Canada. The inquiry follows the Canada Border Services Agency’s initiation of anti-dumping investigations under the Special Import Measures Act. The Tribunal is scheduled to rule on the presence of injury indications by March 11, 2026, which could extend CBSA’s investigation and trigger a subsequent final injury inquiry if warranted. Interested parties may submit notices of participation to engage in the process, which affects supply chains for mineral processing equipment users.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government welcomes Canada Growth Fund investment in Canadian cleantech company Mangrove Lithium

On January 15, the Department of Finance Canada announced a strategic investment of up to US$65 million by the Canada Growth Fund in Mangrove Water Technologies Inc. (Mangrove Lithium). The funds are part of an US$85 million financing package that includes BMW i Ventures and Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The announcement states that financing supports the operation of Mangrove Lithium’s plant in Delta, BC, and facilitates the development of a future facility with a production capacity projected to serve over 500,000 electric vehicles annually. The stated goal is to build out a fully integrated lithium supply chain using domestically developed technology and bolster Canada’s battery minerals sector through job creation and economic diversification.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal opens final injury inquiry into dumping of oil country tubular goods

On December 23, 2025, the CITT launched a final inquiry to determine whether oil country tubular goods imported from Mexico, the Philippines, Türkiye, South Korea, and the United States have caused or threaten to cause injury to Canadian industry. The action follows a preliminary determination by the CBSA. The Tribunal expects to reach a decision by April 21, 2026. Interested parties are invited to file Form I—Notice of Participation to be involved in the process, which could influence procurement and cost for Canadian energy and mineral industries reliant on tubular goods.

Sources: www.canada.ca

FedDev Ontario announces $3.4 million in regional tariff relief for steel businesses

On January 12, Minister Evan Solomon announced targeted funding for four steel sector projects in Southern Ontario under the new Regional Tariff Relief Initiative, totaling more than $3.4 million. Kit Steel Inc. will receive over $650,000 to adopt new rebar fabrication systems. The funding is intended to strengthen supply chain resilience and operational competitiveness in response to trade disruptions, helping regional businesses modernize operations and integrate new technologies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan releases new water asset account data for mining sector

Statistics Canada published its pilot water asset account data on January 13, detailing the national and drainage region-level stocks of freshwater and tracking changes generated by both natural and economic activities. The datasets establish a framework for quantifying water availability relevant to industrial use, including mining operations, and assessing if consumption rates are consistent with long-term sustainability goals for resource sectors that rely on significant water inputs.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan updates pricing index for machinery and equipment rental and leasing

Statistics Canada made updated data available from the Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing Services Price Index (base year 2020) for the third quarter of 2025. These price trends are key for operators monitoring equipment rental costs associated with drilling, extraction, and processing projects across Canada’s mining sector.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan interactive dashboard shows latest employment trends in rural mining regions

On January 14, Statistics Canada released fresh employment data for rural Canada via an interactive dashboard, incorporating December 2025 figures. These datasets are used to track workforce trends by industry and region, including employment shifts in mining communities and the sector’s contribution to rural economic activity.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Refined petroleum products inventory and production data available for November 2025

On December 22, Statistics Canada released data covering production and inventories of refined petroleum products in Canada for November 2025. Sector operators and analysts can access this information on request for insights on supply, production rates, and inventory levels relevant to mining and energy resource operations.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario fast-tracks Crawford Nickel Project using 'One Project, One Process' framework

Ontario designated the Canada Nickel Company’s Crawford Nickel Project for accelerated permitting under its new whole-of-government framework, supporting integrated mine and mill facilities projected to create up to 4,000 jobs and attract $5 billion in investment.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Mt. Milligan mine receives environmental approval to continue copper-gold production to 2035

British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Office approved amendments allowing Thompson Creek Metals to expand the Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine and operate until 2035, subject to revised mitigation and monitoring requirements.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Nova Scotia launches Subsurface Energy Research and Development Investment Program for natural gas exploration

Nova Scotia is investing $30 million in a university-led program to evaluate local natural gas deposits, with Dalhousie University overseeing research, stakeholder engagement, and proposal qualification for onshore exploration.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta introduces online hub for proposed northwest coast oil pipeline project

The Alberta government launched a website serving as a central repository for updates on the proposed pipeline project to the northwest coast, with information on Indigenous engagement and the expedited review process for Major Projects Office approval.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

British Columbia Premier David Eby leads trade mission to India focused on mining and energy

The Premier’s trade mission seeks new export and investment opportunities for critical minerals, mineral processing, forestry, and clean technology in India to support job creation and diversified trade for British Columbia.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Federal government opens consultation on draft 2026-2029 Sustainable Development Strategy

Environment and Climate Change Canada is soliciting public feedback on the draft 2026-2029 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy until May 12, 2026, inviting comments prior to Parliamentary tabling.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Ontario fast-tracks Canada Nickel’s Crawford mine permitting in response to U.S. trade war: Ontario moves to speed up approval for the Crawford Nickel mine amid trade tensions.
• EnviroGold Global - Unlocking Precious and Critical Metals from Above-Ground Assets to Support Global Supply Security Investor Webinar January 27: EnviroGold Global will discuss mineral recovery from above-ground assets at a January 27 webinar.
• Talisker Engages SGS Canada Inc. for a Preliminary Economic Assessment and Mineral Resource Update on the Bralorne Gold Project: Talisker commissions SGS for a preliminary assessment and resource update at Bralorne.
• Goliath Resources Selected For Core Shack, AME Roundup 2026 – Booth #1026C, Also Attending VRIC – Booth #131 And Metals Investors Forum In Vancouver: Goliath Resources secures visibility at key industry events and investor forums in Vancouver.
• Anfield Energy Welcomes President Trump’s Section 232 Proclamation on Processed Critical Minerals: Reinforcing National Security Protections for Domestic Uranium Production and the U.S. Nuclear Sector: Anfield Energy issues statement on new U.S. policy action supporting uranium and critical minerals.
• Newcore Gold Diamond Drilling Intersects High-Grade Gold Mineralization with 174 g/t Gold over 1.0 Metre and 3.54 g/t Gold over 23.0 Metres, at the Enchi Gold Project, Ghana: Newcore Gold’s drilling program yields high-grade intercepts at its Ghana project.
• Amid a battery boom, graphite mining gets a fresh look in the US: Graphite mining is seeing renewed interest driven by expanding battery production in the United States.
• The $1.8T Energy Sprint: Why America is Betting Big on Strategic Mineral Platforms: Media analysis on the scale of U.S. investment into strategic mineral supply chains.

.