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.

Dates: 2026-01-19 to 2026-01-25

📋 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

• Natural Resources Committee: Management of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories by U.S. Companies (Jan. 27, 11:00am–1:00pm): The Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to meet on January 27, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., to hear witnesses including Christian Leuprecht (Royal Military College and Queen’s), Ole Hendrickson (Ottawa River Institute), Stephen Aplin, and Eric McGoey (Canadian Nuclear Laboratories), focusing on the management of nuclear labs by U.S. firms.
• Industry and Technology Committee: Subject Matter of Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 1 (Jan. 26, 3:30pm–5:30pm): The Industry and Technology Committee will discuss Bill C-15 budget implementation and Canada’s productivity gaps at their January 26 meeting. Witnesses include Philippe Dufresne, Privacy Commissioner, and Marc Chénier, Deputy Commissioner, followed by committee business.
• Environment and Sustainable Development Committee: Committee Business (Jan. 27, 3:30pm–5:30pm): The Environmental and Sustainable Development Committee meets January 27, 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m., to address committee business in camera.

Federal Government News

Federal and Provincial Governments Announce Funding for Saskatchewan Small Modular Reactor Safety, Licensing, and Testing Centre

On January 19, 2026, the Government of Canada announced a $1.96 million investment in the University of Regina's Small Modular Reactor Safety, Licensing, and Testing centre (SMR-SLT), matched by a $4 million contribution from the Government of Saskatchewan. The facility will provide industry and academic partners access to Western Canada's first advanced SMR test loops, supporting the safe development and deployment of next-generation nuclear technologies. Saskatchewan holds the world’s largest high-grade uranium deposits, contributing nearly a quarter of global uranium supply for power generation. SMR deployment in Saskatchewan intends to expand resource utilization and address future energy production demands. This project is expected to create 18 direct jobs, support 10 businesses, and provide workforce training that aligns with forecasted requirements for building and operating nuclear facilities, estimated at 2,500 to 3,500 jobs by the mid-2030s.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Hodgson to Attend India Energy Week; Canada–India Critical Mineral and Energy Partnerships on Agenda

Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson will represent Canada at India Energy Week 2026 in Goa, from January 27 to 30. Scheduled engagements include a January 27 ministerial panel and a January 28 energy dialogue focused on reliable, low-carbon fuel and critical mineral partnerships between Canada and India. These events will address prospects for cooperation on fuel and mineral supply for the Global South, with Minister Hodgson participating in both in-person and virtual sessions. Accredited media are required to preregister for coverage.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Parliamentary Secretary Hogan to Join BC Natural Resources Forum Fireside Chat

Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, is scheduled for a fireside chat at the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George on January 22, 2026, at 11:20 a.m. PT. The discussion will include perspectives from industry and government on the region’s approach to resource development. Media participation is by pre-registration.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Sidhu Concludes UAE Commercial Mission; Bilateral Investment and Mining Opportunities Emphasized

International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu completed an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aimed at reinforcing Canada’s trade diversification and increasing market access for Canadian firms. The trip included signing agreements for Canadian technology and manufacturing companies, opening new Canadian offices in Dubai, and strengthening ties in sectors including energy and mining. The delegation met senior UAE officials and industry leaders, discussed expansions to non-U.S. export markets, and advanced negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) to reduce tariffs and administrative requirements. The meetings provided a platform for Canadian mining and resource companies seeking opportunities in the Gulf region and facilitated plans for a reciprocal UAE business delegation visit to Canada.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Monthly Mineral Production Survey Data for November 2025 Now Accessible

Statistics Canada released data from the Monthly Mineral Production Survey and the Monthly Survey of Smelters and Metal Refineries for November 2025. The figures provide insights into current output trends for major metals and refined mineral products, offering industry stakeholders updated production volume benchmarks for the period.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

December 2025 Price Indexes Released: Industrial Product Prices Down, Raw Materials Up

The Industrial Product Price Index declined by 0.6% month over month in December 2025, while increasing 4.9% year over year. In contrast, the Raw Materials Price Index rose 0.5% month over month and was up 6.4% compared to the previous year. The data signal shifting cost pressures for mineral and resource producers, with the price differentials likely to affect input budgets across the mining and processing sectors.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Quebec Launches 2025–2031 Strategy to Accelerate Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals

The Quebec government announced the 2025–2031 strategy for critical and strategic minerals, backed by an $88.1 million budget and an action plan to foster project acceleration, regional investment, and infrastructure expansion. The plan aims to consolidate Quebec’s position as a global hub for CSM development and processing, with enhanced economic benefits in resource regions.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Quebec Opens New Strategic Minerals Valorization Program

Quebec's new valorization strategy intends to position the province as a leading source of critical and strategic minerals by improving the business climate, integrating processing, developing infrastructure, and engaging industry partners in every aspect of the value chain.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Centerra Gold Receives Permits to Expand Mt. Milligan Mine in BC Through 2035

BC issued new permits for Centerra Gold’s Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine, supporting a seven-year extension of operations and increasing ore production rates. The streamlined permit application process is intended to expedite approvals for major mine expansions.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Quebec Drilling Firm Fined $100,000 Following Ontario Mine Injury

Orbit Garant Drilling Services Inc. was fined $100,000 plus surcharge after a workplace injury at Bell Creek Underground Mine, Porcupine, ON, where safety procedures around exposed moving parts were found deficient.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Vancouver Mining Company Fined $135,000 Over Mine Shaft Cable Injury

DMC Mining Services Ltd. pleaded guilty and was fined $135,000 plus surcharge following a cable-related workplace incident in Sudbury, ON. Investigators found cable removal practices breached Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Ontario can speed up critical minerals industry and maintain environmental standards, report says: New analysis details regulatory pace and environmental benchmarks for critical minerals in Ontario.
• Troilus Provides Overview of Its 2025 Exploration Program and Initial Results Confirming Mineral Resource Upside Near Pit and Across Property: Early results from Troilus point to additional resource potential at its Quebec property.
• From Permits to Pouring Gold: The Power of Being Production-Ready: Development timelines and the operational benefits of rapid gold project readiness.
• New Earth Resources Comments on U.S. Proclamation to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply Chains: Company perspectives on recent U.S. executive action targeting mineral supply chains.
• North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. Plans Phase 2 Radon Survey and Low-Impact Backpack Drilling at Blanchette, Bardy and Seigneurie Properties, Québec: Scheduled exploration activity in Quebec for critical mineral delineation.
• Mali’s President appoints former Barrick executive to oversee mining sector: Barrick Gold leadership experience brought to Mali’s national mining portfolio.