April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026

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.

📋 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

• Industry and Technology Committee to examine federal EV policies with Minister Mélanie Joly: On May 4, 2026, the Industry and Technology Committee will hold a televised session focused on federal government electric vehicle policies. Minister Mélanie Joly is slated to appear at 3:30 p.m., followed by departmental officials and representatives from the automotive and energy sectors.
• Senate National Finance Committee to hear from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and Natural Resources Canada: On May 6, 2026, the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance will review Main Estimates with a session featuring Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and Natural Resources Canada officials. The meeting is set for 6:45 p.m. in Ottawa, with Maude-Émilie Pagé and Jeremy Latta representing AECL.

Federal Government News

Strategic Response Fund to support domestic battery-grade cobalt sulfate production

On May 1, 2026, the Government of Canada announced an upcoming investment in battery-grade cobalt sulfate production through the Strategic Response Fund, with full details to be delivered in Temiskaming Shores, Ontario, on May 4. Parliamentary Secretary Pauline Rochefort will represent the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry. This federal push is aimed at strengthening Canada’s position in the critical minerals supply chain, specifically targeting domestic production capacity for battery metals. The initiative comes as the government continues to leverage national programs to back strategic projects in the minerals sector. Industry operators and investors are expected to see increased support for domestic processing and downstream activity as a result.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada previews new Nuclear Energy Strategy and announces $2.2B Chalk River investment

At the Canadian Nuclear Association Conference in Ottawa on April 29, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson detailed the framework for Canada’s forthcoming Nuclear Energy Strategy, to be released by the end of the year. The minister emphasized expanding nuclear capacity through new large and small reactor builds, strengthening supply chain expertise, and supporting nuclear innovation, with particular attention to expanding uranium production. Hodgson discussed a $2.2 billion commitment over ten years for modernizing the Chalk River Laboratories, intended to enhance capabilities in CANDU technology, small modular reactors, fuel development, and reactor life extension. The conference speech also addressed a $40 million joint feasibility program designed to evaluate Canadian microreactor technology for remote and northern defence infrastructure, in partnership with AECL and the Department of National Defence.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada to develop comprehensive Nuclear Energy Strategy for domestic and international growth

Natural Resources Canada announced on April 29 its work on a transformative Nuclear Energy Strategy, which will focus on four pillars: enabling new builds, positioning Canada as a global supplier, expanding uranium production, and fostering next-generation innovations, including in fission and fusion. The strategy is being developed in partnership with provinces, industry, utilities, labor, and Indigenous communities, with a focus on energy affordability, energy security, and job creation. The government reiterated its $2.2 billion, ten-year capital commitment to Chalk River Laboratories and detailed its $40 million allocation for 2026–2027 to survey the use of Canadian-controlled microreactors for remote northern defence and Arctic operations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Team Canada Strong to train and recruit up to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers

On May 1, in Saint John, the Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions), presented details regarding the federal government’s Team Canada Strong initiative centered on recruiting and training 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers over five years. The program features a $6 billion investment, $2 billion of which supports paid job-ready placements, and introduces apprenticeship completion bonuses, digital credentials, and expanded union-run training capabilities. Another $250 million over five years will expand the skilled trades pipeline through the Canadian Armed Forces. These measures target expedited certification timelines and increased sectoral workforce capacity for large construction and resource projects.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Hodgson to address energy contractors on May 1 in Calgary

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson is scheduled to speak at a Canadian Association of Energy Contractors luncheon in Calgary on May 1, 2026. The event will convene industry participants amid continuing federal attention on critical minerals, energy security, and emerging resource sector opportunities. Industry participants have been invited to pre-register, with session logistics coordinated by the Ministry.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Machinery and Equipment Price Index for February 2026 released

Statistics Canada published the Machinery and Equipment Price Index (2016=100) for February 2026, offering key benchmarking data for industry stakeholders. The release supplies updated guidance on the relative cost structure for capital asset acquisition and maintenance, which directly affects project planning and budgeting in resource extraction and processing.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Foreign Direct Investment update: Inward flows outpace Canadian investment abroad in 2025

New data from Statistics Canada shows Canada’s net direct investment position reached $828.4 billion at end-2025, a decrease of $37.1 billion from 2024. For the first time since 2022, foreign direct investment into Canada outpaced Canadian direct investment abroad. Fluctuations of this magnitude are likely to affect financing conditions and deal flow in large-cap projects and cross-border mergers in the mining and energy industries.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Biannual Survey of Suppliers of Business Financing, H2 2025 data available

Statistics Canada made available the biannual survey results for suppliers of business financing covering the second half of 2025. This dataset provides a snapshot of lending activity, access to capital, and shifting financial conditions in the mining and broader industrial sectors.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta funds $91 million in cost-saving industrial and energy technologies through TIER program

Alberta announced $91 million in new Industrial Transformation Challenge funding, backed by the TIER program, with up to $41 million for nine new projects deploying emerging energy, manufacturing, and construction technologies.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario invests $500,000 to support Sault Ste. Marie workers impacted by U.S. tariffs

Ontario is contributing $500,000 to support a Foreign Direct Investment Strategy for Sault Ste. Marie, targeting economic diversification and supply chain resilience for industries affected by U.S. tariffs.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia sees new offshore oil and gas investments following winning bid

Nova Scotia’s offshore sector received a boost as Inceptio Oil and Gas committed over $210 million in exploration activities following a successful bid review by the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

British Columbia prioritizes major resource and clean energy projects to accelerate economic growth

The Look West Update details B.C.'s addition of 17 priority projects, including gold, copper, and clean energy infrastructure, aiming to attract up to $88 billion in investment and create tens of thousands of jobs.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario commits $8 million to expand intellectual property supports for research and innovation

The Ontario government has expanded IPON supports to postsecondary institutions and research organizations, with a $8 million investment to protect and commercialize intellectual property across priority sectors, including mining.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• New data reveals tragic costs of Ontario’s mining boom: A look at recent figures linked to health impacts in Ontario mining communities.
• DEEP SEA MINERALS CORP. HIGHLIGHTS KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM DEEP SEA MINING SUMMIT 2026 IN LONDON: Industry insights from the London summit on deep sea mining.
• GoldHaven Reports Independent Review Confirming Large-Scale Hydrothermal System and Identifies High-Priority Drill Targets at Copeçal: New independent review findings on GoldHaven’s prospects at Copeçal.
• Singapore-based Boroo chosen as potential buyer for defunct Eagle Gold mine, Yukon government says: Boroo is named as a prospective acquirer for the Eagle Gold mine in Yukon.
• N.L. government approves emissions hikes for Cenovus oil field project, Vale nickel mine: The province grants emissions increases for key energy and mining projects.
• Terra Clean Energy Corp. Announces Revised and Improved Earn-In Terms and Upcoming Drill Program at South Falcon East Uranium Project: Terra Clean Energy Corp outlines new terms and plans uranium drilling at South Falcon East.
• Greenland Mines (NASDAQ: GRML) Locks In World-Class Technical Team for $68B Skaergaard PGM-Gold Deposit as Western Critical Minerals Push Accelerates: Greenland Mines secures technical leadership as critical minerals interest intensifies.
• Newcore Gold Files Technical Report for the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Enchi Gold Project, Ghana: Newcore Gold files its updated resource assessment for Enchi Gold Project.
• NOAA Determines TMC USA’s Consolidated Deep-Seabed Mining Application is in Full Compliance: The U.S. government finds TMC USA’s deep-seabed mining application compliant.
• Rare earth mining is poisoning Mekong River tributaries, threatening 'the world's kitchen': Reporting on environmental impacts of rare earth mining in Asia.

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