This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning metals and non-metals miners, explorers and prospectors. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-22 to 2026-03-28

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Passage of Budget Implementation Act, 2025: Major Measures for Energy, Mining and Critical Minerals

On March 26, Bill C-15, the Budget Implementation Act, 2025, No. 1, received Royal Assent. The bill advances a Clean Electricity investment tax credit (ITC), expands the suite of Clean Economy ITCs—including incentives for carbon capture, utilization and storage—as well as introduces the Productivity Super-Deduction for capital investments. The Budget also launches a First and Last Mile Fund, which is aimed at supporting strategic mining and infrastructure projects linked to critical minerals supply chains and market access. Other measures include a $5 billion Strategic Response Fund and immediate liquidity relief targeting industries impacted by U.S. trade disruptions, along with the extension of Employment Insurance support and work-sharing expansions for workers in vulnerable sectors. The government rolled out a new "Buy Canadian Policy" allocating nearly $186 million over five years to prioritize domestic sourcing, particularly steel, aluminum, and softwood lumber, in federal procurement. The Budget reinforces efforts in supply chain resilience through the Trade Diversification Corridors Fund, including port, rail, and road projects. The Act names critical minerals, research, and border security among core priorities, with $1 billion earmarked for Arctic infrastructure, and maintains investment in clean energy and mining innovation frameworks.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Natural Resources Canada Invests $28.9M in Clean Energy and Grid Modernization Projects

On March 27, Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announced $28.9 million in federal funds for 12 energy projects across Canada. Major allocations include $10 million to Carbon Alpha Corp. in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, for CCUS seismic survey systems; $4.9 million to the Petroleum Technology Research Centre in Regina for CO2 storage research; and significant investments in CO2 capture, renewable energy demonstrations, smart grid innovation, and regulatory capacity building. Projects span the testing of new methods for carbon storage verification, AI-driven solar-crop coexistence studies, battery storage grid integration systems, and support for grid modernization by utilities such as Oshawa Power. Funding supports early-stage CCUS R&D, pilot projects for combining solar energy with agricultural land, and initiatives to remove rule barriers to deploying distributed energy resources in British Columbia and Ontario. Regulatory capacity building projects are designed to enable smaller organizations to participate in regulatory decisions. These federal investments target emissions reduction and modernization of domestic energy infrastructure.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Prince Edward Island and Canada Adopt 'One Project, One Review' Model for Major Project Assessments

On March 26, the federal and Prince Edward Island governments ratified a co-operation agreement authorizing flexible implementation of environmental and impact assessments for major projects. The agreement provides for a case-by-case process for coordination, allowing assessments to rely on federal, provincial, or joint models. The arrangement is designed to address duplication, reduce administrative barriers, and enable a more predictable project review process for developers. The agreement also frames provisions for shared permitting, information, and Indigenous consultation. Agreements of this type are already in place with British Columbia, Ontario, and New Brunswick, furthering a national move toward a harmonized approach on environmental reviews for significant resource and infrastructure projects.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Nova Scotia Set Integrated Review for Resource and Infrastructure Projects

On March 27, Nova Scotia and the federal government executed a 'one project, one review' co-operation agreement for resource and infrastructure projects requiring approvals at both levels. The new system provides regulatory clarity and expedited timelines for projects such as mining initiatives, pipelines, and interprovincial transmission infrastructure. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada also plans a regional assessment of exploratory oil and gas drilling in Nova Scotia’s offshore area, building on regional precedents from Newfoundland and assessments of offshore wind projects in Atlantic Canada. The arrangement is set to accelerate regulatory decisions for both conventional and emerging resource projects in Nova Scotia.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Canada Advances Energy Leadership and Cross-Border Collaboration at CERAWeek 2026

During CERAWeek 2026 in Houston, Minister Tim Hodgson met with U.S. Secretaries of the Interior and Energy to discuss the Canada-U.S. partnership on energy security, affordability, and critical minerals trade. The visit included engagement with global asset managers and energy sector leaders on both clean and conventional energy, grid modernization, and cross-border supply chain investment. Hodgson also hosted delegations from Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, and toured the Freeport Marine Terminal in Texas, an export hub for Western Canadian crude via Enbridge’s network. The meetings reinforced joint priorities such as expanding North American mineral supply chains, LNG export capacity, and bilateral infrastructure links.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Tim Hodgson Addresses Energy Policy and Investment at CERAWeek

In a March 23 speech at CERAWeek in Houston, Minister Hodgson emphasized Canada's position as a leading exporter of oil, gas, uranium, and critical minerals. Hodgson cited recent investment growth in the energy sector, highlighted planned infrastructure—including optimization of the TMX pipeline and expanded LNG export capacity—and referenced a new Canada-Alberta memorandum of understanding to unlock resource development and transportation. Hodgson underlined Canada’s engagement in trade agreements, with $500 billion in private investment targeted, and the pursuit of secure mineral supply partnerships with the U.S. and other allies. The address outlined the federal government’s investment ambitions in support of new mining, conventional, and renewable energy infrastructure.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Allocates Support to Nunavik Rare Earth Project

On March 27, media reports indicate Canada is extending millions in loan funding to a rare earth mining project in Nunavik, Quebec. The project, associated with past links to the U.S., is positioned to support North American rare earth supply chains. The funding structure reflects Canada's continued emphasis on upstream investment in critical minerals, targeting the reduction of North American dependence on non-allied sources for rare earths and associated component manufacturing.

Sources: www.cbc.ca

Federal Support for Virtual Safety Training in Northern Territories

On March 24, Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, announced up to $600,000 in federal support for the Northern Safety Association to digitize 30 training courses for workers in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Offerings include both task-specific modules for those operating heavy equipment and general well-being sessions. The move seeks to broaden accessibility to health and safety resources for workers in resource and extraction sectors, lowering operational risk and supporting safe resource industry workplaces.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta Geological Survey Estimates Province Holds Major Lithium Reserves

A new Alberta Geological Survey report pegs the province’s lithium carbonate equivalent in place at 82.5 million tonnes, potentially the third-largest global reserve. Alberta's government is pursuing incentives and regulatory measures to advance lithium extraction by 2027.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Government Moves to Enforce 120-Day Major Project Approval Timeline

On March 23, Alberta announced forthcoming legislation establishing a 120-day timeline for approval of major projects, with continued focus on Indigenous consultation and environmental processes.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Premier’s Investment Council Established to Accelerate Project Approvals

The Premier’s Investment Council will coordinate across ministries and agencies to fast-track major project approvals and attract high-value investment. The advisory council unites government and investment sector leaders.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Will Regulate Methane Emissions Under Equivalency with Ottawa

Alberta reached an agreement-in-principle with Canada on March 25, allowing the province’s regulatory system to govern methane emissions, targeting a 75 percent cut from 2014 levels by 2035. Provincial rules are set to stay in effect for the next decade, pending public comment.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Quebec Designates Rouyn-Noranda Mining Innovation Zone

The Government of Quebec designated Rouyn-Noranda as its Mining Innovation Zone, with $28 billion in initial investment planned, including $97 million from the province, to promote innovation and automation throughout the mineral value chain.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Canada loaning millions to proposed Nunavik rare earth mining project linked to Trump White House: Update on federal financial support for northern Quebec resource extraction.
• Hudbay Provides Annual Reserve and Resource Update with Mine Life Extensions and Improved Three-Year Production Outlook: Highlights from Hudbay's revised gold, copper, and base metals mining forecast.
• Eldorado Gold Announces Leading, Independent Proxy Advisory Firm, ISS, Recommends Eldorado Shareholders Vote 'FOR' the Proposed Arrangement with Foran Mining: Coverage of ISS guidance in Foran Mining deal.
• B2Gold Announces Positive Results from its 2025 Exploration Program at the Back River Gold District: Exploration drilling updates and district-wide resource potential.
• Roland Commences Venezuela Mineral Rights Acquisition Program, Accesses Placer Dome’s Former Las Cristinas Gold Deposit Data: Steps toward gold sector expansion in Venezuela.
• Battery Metal Curbs Sting Chinese Miners Who Spent Big in Africa: The impact of African battery metal export regulations.

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