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.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Mining? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Manufacturing and Oil & Gas. Also consider subscribing to our Mining - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-04-19 to 2026-04-25

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Science and Research Committee to Study Canada-China Electric Vehicle Arrangement: The House of Commons Science and Research Committee will meet April 27 to examine implications of the Canada-China Preliminary Joint Arrangement on Canada’s electric vehicle sector, with scheduled witnesses from academia, industry, and applied technology organizations.

Federal Government News

Major Projects Office and Sunrise Expansion Program Receive Federal Approval

On April 24, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson, in a keynote address at the Empire Club of Canada, outlined a year’s federal progress on resource policy, announcing the approval of the $4-billion Sunrise Expansion Program in British Columbia. The expansion will provide up to 300 million cubic feet per day of additional transport capacity on Enbridge’s Westcoast pipeline system, directly supporting heating, industrial, and power needs in B.C. Construction is set to begin this summer, with the project anticipated to contribute over $3 billion to GDP and $700 million in tax revenues, while creating 2,500 jobs during peak construction. The project involves Enbridge and 38 First Nations, with Enbridge reporting $52 million already spent for Indigenous business services. These developments sit alongside the launch of the federal Major Projects Office, which has referred 15 projects and six strategies, representing $126 billion in investment. The office is intended to provide a centralized federal process for major build initiatives. Hodgson underscored the accelerated decision-making process for major projects, citing a shift toward pragmatic approvals such as the recent uranium mines and LNG exports.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Joint Federal and Nunavut Investment in Baffin Island Geoscience

The federal government and the Government of Nunavut announced a joint investment of $2.45 million on April 22 to support mineral exploration research focused on foundational geoscience and the critical mineral potential in south and central Baffin Island. The funding, delivered via CanNor and Natural Resources Canada’s Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office, will support geological fieldwork, geochemical data analysis using artificial intelligence tools, and publication of results. The initiative aims to generate new data on the Cumberland granite, providing the mineral sector with enhanced exploration guidance and supporting future private investment in Nunavut. This aligns with the objectives set out in Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy to reinforce resilient supply chains.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CanNor Backs Multiple Projects to Fortify Nunavut’s Economic Infrastructure

CanNor detailed four new projects in Nunavut amounting to over $13 million in federal support, as detailed in a backgrounder published April 22. Funding recipients include Sedna ROV Services for Arctic survey and monitoring equipment, West Kitikmeot Resources for Grays Bay Road and Port early design and drilling work, Nukik Corporation for environmental and archaeological studies for the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link, and the Pinnguaq Association (Ampere) for a new economic development hub in Iqaluit. These investments will fund a range of activities including hydrographic surveys, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, supporting Arctic sovereignty and supply chain development in resource extraction.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Imposes Duties on Oil Country Tubular Goods

On April 21, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal found that imports of oil country tubular goods from Mexico, the Philippines, Türkiye, South Korea, and the United States have caused injury to Canada’s domestic industry. As a result, anti-dumping duties will be collected by the Canada Border Services Agency. The case, prompted by complaints from domestic producers Interpro Pipe & Steel Inc. and Welded Tube of Canada Corp., is due to have detailed reasons released May 6. The ruling is expected to affect procurement and input pricing in oil and gas drilling operations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

FedNor Delivers Nearly $3 Million for Northern Ontario Supply Chain Resilience

On April 24, FedNor announced $2.95 million in investments among three Sudbury-area manufacturers supplying the mining and metals sector. Soluroc Sudbury receives $1 million to automate steel pipe manufacturing, aimed at increasing efficiency by 25%, while Jennmar Canada also gains $1 million for expanding steel product manufacturing, expected to create 25 jobs and expand market share. Lopes Limited is provided $975,000 to support automation and quadruple parts production capacity, mitigating exposure to global supply chain disruptions. These grants, under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, are targeted at maintaining competitiveness and production growth for domestic mining supply chains.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Parliamentary Secretary to Address Canada’s Critical Minerals Outlook

Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, is scheduled to deliver opening remarks on April 23 at the Canadian Club of Ottawa for an event featuring Vale Base Metals. The event’s agenda is focused on Canada’s future in critical minerals, a strategic area for ongoing policy development.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: Price Indexes for Industrial Products and Raw Materials Climb

Statistics Canada’s data for March 2026, released April 23, shows the Industrial Product Price Index advanced 2.4% month-over-month (7.8% year-over-year) and the Raw Materials Price Index rose 12.0% month-over-month (23.6% year-over-year). These movements in input pricing affect the cost structures within metals extraction, mineral processing, and related supply contracts.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Monthly Surveys Update Mineral Production and Energy Transport Volumes

Statistics Canada released its Monthly Mineral Production Survey and Monthly Survey of Smelters and Metal Refineries for February 2026, as well as the Monthly Energy Transportation and Storage Survey. These datasets now provide up-to-date figures for national mineral output and liquid petroleum product flows, forming the basis for industry analysis of market trends and infrastructure utilization.

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

Data Released on Environmental and Clean Technology R&D Expenditures

Statistics Canada has made available data on business expenditures for research and development relating to environmental protection and clean technology products for 2022 and 2023. These datasets support sector benchmarking and inform on the scale of Canadian business investment in innovation tied to clean energy and resource management.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Speeds Up Red Lake Transmission Line for Emerging Mining Hub

Ontario declared the Red Lake transmission line a priority and placed Hydro One in charge, fast-tracking a 162-kilometre, 230-kV line supporting the Red Lake mining region. The project is positioned to back new mining operations, connect rising demand expected to reach over 750 MW by 2050, and afford First Nations equity participation of up to 50%.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario and Yukon Sign Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Collaboration Agreement

Ontario's Minister Stephen Lecce and Yukon’s Minister Ted Laking signed an agreement on April 22 to collaborate on groundwork for SMR deployment in Yukon, including grid integration and regulatory practice sharing.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Commits $15 Million Annually to Northern Resource Infrastructure via NORDS

Ontario announced $15 million per year in ongoing funding through the NORDS Fund for northern municipalities, aimed at helping mitigate infrastructure impacts from resource development and enabling long-term economic growth.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Tables Power Act and Reduces Permitting for Major Projects

The Ontario government introduced the POWER Act to reduce permit requirements, advancing policies such as the One Project, One Process mining permitting model and leveraging AI to assist mining project proponents in regulatory navigation.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Releases Report on Nuclear Energy Engagement

On April 22, Alberta published the Nuclear Energy Engagement and Advisory Panel’s report, outlining recommendations and next steps for potential nuclear development, public outreach, and coordination on federal regulatory processes.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• The Copper Bottleneck That Rewrites Mining Valuations: Coverage on global supply constraints shaping copper project economics.
• How a challenge of the mining claim system sparked B.C.'s move to claw back DRIPA: Analysis of B.C.’s mining legislation and Indigenous legal challenges.
• Alaska senator reignites mining dispute that could complicate Canada's critical minerals strategy: A review of cross-border disputes and their potential effect on Canadian mineral development.
• B.C. courts uphold right of U.S. Indigenous group to challenge magnesium mine: Reporting on court decisions enabling U.S.-based Indigenous groups to contest British Columbia mining projects.
• EnviroGold Advances Greens Creek Project Toward Commercial Validation: Update on environmental metals processing technologies moving through pilot phases.
• An old factory in Welland, Ont., sat derelict for years — until someone discovered it could be worth billions: Feature on new mineral discoveries at Ontario legacy industrial sites.
• News of the day: Critical minerals, retirement taxes, to defer or delay, Rogers revenues, Metro earnings and more: Industry news digest including critical minerals supply developments.

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