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: 2026-01-26 to 2026-02-01

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• House of Commons Natural Resources Committee: Canadian Energy Exports Study: The Natural Resources Committee will meet February 3 (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) to hear witnesses on Canadian energy exports, with scheduled remarks from Normand Mousseau and Pierre-Olivier Pineau (HEC Montréal), Canadians for Affordable Energy President Dan McTeague, and Heather Exner-Pirot (Macdonald-Laurier Institute).
• Senate Committee Examining Bill C-15 Budget Divisions Affecting Energy Sector: The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources will meet on February 3 (6:30 p.m., in camera) to consider Part 5, Divisions 32, 40, 41, and 42 of Bill C-15, with a draft report under review.
• Senate Review of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Offshore Petroleum Industry: The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources will convene February 5 (8:00 a.m., in camera) to examine and report on issues related to Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore petroleum industry.

Federal Government News

Canada and India Advance Critical Minerals Partnership

Minister Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister, held several meetings in New Delhi with Indian counterparts, including Piyush Goyal (Ministry of Mines), Hardeep Singh Puri (Petroleum and Natural Gas), H. D. Kumaraswamy (Heavy Industries), and Jagat Prakash Nadda (Chemicals and Fertilizers) to advance bilateral cooperation in critical minerals, energy trade and investment. These meetings resulted in a commitment to formalize Canada-India cooperation on critical minerals, with a government and industry delegation scheduled for the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada 2026 convention in Toronto. Topics discussed included India’s strategies for developing domestic critical minerals supply chains and Canada’s interest in resilient supply chain development under its Critical Minerals Strategy. Both countries signed a joint statement re-launching the Canada-India Ministerial Energy Dialogue, affirming intent for long-term collaboration, and highlighting Canadian supply of potash fertilizers to India, which covers a quarter of India’s demand. Additionally, the meetings touched on collaboration in mining equipment, secondary refining, food security, and clean energy technology.

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

CanNor and Northwest Territories Sign MOU for Economic Development

On January 27, Minister Rebecca Chartrand for Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister Caitlin Cleveland (NWT) announced a Memorandum of Understanding between CanNor and the Government of the Northwest Territories focused on advancing critical minerals and major infrastructure projects. The MOU will align federal and territorial efforts to support resource development and aims to foster efficient pre-regulatory assistance and project coordination, including convening the inaugural Northern Indigenous Governments and Development Corporations Project Funding Symposium. Future implementation activities will be defined as the partnership develops.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Republic of Korea Strengthen Industrial Cooperation in Strategic Sectors

Minister Mélanie Joly signed a memorandum of understanding with Korean officials to expand bilateral cooperation on auto and battery manufacturing, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. The MOU establishes an Industrial Cooperation Committee and supports the expansion of Korean automotive operations in Canada, including electric vehicle manufacturing. Canada is promoting new investments in battery supply chains, materials processing, and critical mineral refining. The agreement aims to strengthen Canada-Korea supply chain resilience and increase industrial growth, supported by a new forum focused on future mobility.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Tim Hodgson Meets United Arab Emirates' Minister of Industry and ADNOC CEO

Minister Hodgson met H.E. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber in Vancouver to discuss ongoing Canada-UAE cooperation in energy and natural resources. The dialogue covered the UAE’s interest in investing in Canadian major energy projects, and both sides agreed to continue exploring partnership opportunities between stakeholders.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada’s Potash Supply Integral to India’s Food Security

Minister Hodgson’s meeting with Jagat Prakash Nadda, Indian Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, focused on stable, long-term access to critical minerals such as muriate of potash, with Canada currently supplying about 25% of India’s potash needs. India expressed interest in long-term supply agreements and further strategic investment, while both ministers discussed cooperation in mining, exploration, and nutrient management technologies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Joint Ministerial Statement: Deepening Canada-India Energy Trade

Following discussions at India Energy Week 2026, Canada and India committed to expanded ministerial and working-level engagement. The statement highlights reciprocal energy trade, such as Canadian LNG, LPG, and crude oil exports and Indian refined products, as well as joint investment opportunities in both countries’ energy sectors. Canada’s new Major Projects Office and accelerated energy resource projects were noted, alongside India’s $500 billion energy sector value chain investment opportunities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Hodgson and Indian Commerce Minister Discuss Trade and Supply Chains

On January 29 in New Delhi, Minister Hodgson and Minister Piyush Goyal discussed expanding mutual trade, particularly in critical minerals and LNG, and strengthening supply chains. The ministers examined new innovation pathways and capital mobilization opportunities linking Canada’s wood sector and India’s construction and furniture industries.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada’s Renewable Energy Cooperation with India

Minister Hodgson met with Pralhad Joshi, Indian Minister of New and Renewable Energy, to address policy collaboration in hydrogen, renewable energy, and bioenergy. Discussions included the “Make in India” program and Canada’s capacity in industrial decarbonization and energy storage. Investment and market access mechanisms for bilateral clean energy and technology deployment were also reviewed.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Natural Resources Sector GDP Shows Growth in Q3 2025

Statistics Canada reported that real GDP in the natural resources sector increased by 0.9% in the third quarter of 2025, following a 2.3% decrease in the second quarter. This compares to a 0.6% increase in the overall economy’s real GDP over the same period.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Businesses Spend $32.2 Billion on Environmental Activities in 2023

Statistics Canada data show Canadian businesses spent $32.2 billion on environmental protection and resource management activities in 2023, a 17.4% increase over 2022. Of this, 63.1% was allocated to clean energy production, biomaterials, and efficient energy use, while 36.9% was directed toward environmental protection such as solid waste, wastewater, and air pollution management.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

B.C. Introduces Fixed Permit Timelines for Mineral Exploration

British Columbia’s Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals is implementing new fixed permitting timelines for mineral exploration, with applications processed within 40 to 140 days starting April 2026.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Tahltan Central Government and BC Issue Consent-Based Approval for Eskay Creek Mine

The Eskay Creek mine project in Tahltan territory received environmental assessment and consent-based approval under Section 7 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, with 38 binding conditions and a projected capital expenditure of $713 million.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Designates Greenstone Transmission Line as Ring of Fire Priority

Ontario is accelerating construction of the 230-kilometre Greenstone Transmission Line, expected to create over 7,000 jobs and provide power infrastructure for mining development in the Ring of Fire region.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Overhauls Permitting to Cut Red Tape

Nova Scotia is modernizing its permitting system, improving time frames, and introducing service standards, resulting in a more than 50% reduction in permitting times for mining and annual business savings of over $737,000.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta Recognized for Red Tape Reduction

Alberta received top national awards for eliminating unnecessary regulatory requirements, saving businesses and citizens more than $3 billion since 2019 and meeting a 33% reduction target in 2024.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on Deep Geological Repository for Used Nuclear Fuel

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission are seeking feedback on the Deep Geological Repository for Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel Project, with comments due by February 4, 2026.

Sources: iaac-aeic.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Skeena Gold & Silver Secures Environmental Assessment Certificate and Federal Impact Assessment Approval for Eskay Creek: Details dual federal and provincial approvals for the project.
• India’s NMDC Exploring Coal Reserves in Canada: Indicates investment interests from Indian companies in Canadian coal.
• B.C. Mining Industry Focuses on Faster Applications: Survey of regulatory expectations following industry and government comments.
• Proposed Investment and Earn-in with Nagambie Resources: Overview of investment terms in mining sector.
• Generation Mining Strengthens Technical Leadership: Leadership changes as part of Marathon copper-palladium project development.

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