September 06, 2026 to September 12, 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

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

Federal Government News

Canada Revises Project List and Assessment Regime Under Impact Assessment Act

On September 9, the Government of Canada introduced amendments to the Physical Activities Regulations (Project List) under the Impact Assessment Act. Ministers Dominic LeBlanc, Tim Hodgson, and Julie Dabrusin announced changes affecting pipelines, international and interprovincial power lines, and offshore renewable energy projects. These projects will now be reviewed under the Canada Energy Regulator’s process rather than an integrated review panel. In situ oil sands extraction facilities and fossil fuel-fired power generating facilities have been removed from the Project List, focusing federal assessments on projects with significant potential federal effects. Federal and provincial impact assessments and Indigenous consultation requirements remain for exempted projects. These regulatory adjustments respond to the Reference re Impact Assessment Act and are designed for greater process predictability and efficiency in major natural resource and infrastructure projects. The government published What We Heard Reports from national consultations and intends to propose further legislative changes this fall.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Alberta Launch Origins Carbon Capture and Storage Hub

Natural Resources Canada, the Government of Alberta, and Enhance Energy began construction of the Origins Carbon Capture and Storage Hub near Clive, Alberta, on September 9. Minister Tim Hodgson attended the event with Alberta’s Minister of Energy and Minerals, Brian Jean. Scheduled to start operations in January 2027, the facility projects an initial storage capacity of 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually, serving industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, cement, and power generation. The site connects to Alberta’s established CO2 pipeline network and is expected to support substantial direct and indirect economic activity, according to Enhance Energy. The project builds on existing storage capacity at Clive, which has already stored over 9 million tonnes CO2 since 2020 and contributed more than $600 million in economic activity. Long-term operational and construction employment is anticipated.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Government Releases Engagement Reports on Major Project Legislation, Trade, and Labour Policy

On September 9, federal ministers Dominic LeBlanc, Steven MacKinnon, and Patty Hajdu released four What We Heard reports summarizing broad stakeholder feedback on reforms to major project reviews, transportation, and labour relations. More than 26,000 submissions—including over 400 from Indigenous groups and industry stakeholders—addressed proposals to improve efficiency and predictability in federal project reviews. Industry and Indigenous participants presented comments regarding the transportation system's role in market access and requested details on corridor-based approaches, digital trade, and the proposed Transportation Projects Office. Consultation input on labour relations indicated that most federal frameworks function, but participants identified gaps in resolving complex disputes. Further stakeholder engagement will inform forthcoming legislative proposals.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding for Skilled Trades Training Announced in Edmonton

On September 9 in Edmonton, Secretary of State John Zerucelli announced $1.58 million in federal funding to the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 955 Training Trust Fund. The grant will support the purchase of advanced crane equipment—including a new rough terrain crane and a Liebherr telescoping crane—under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s Investments in Training Equipment stream. This investment is part of the government's commitment through the 2026 Spring Economic Update and the Team Canada Strong initiative, including a five-year, $6 billion commitment to train up to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers by 2030–31, with a further $2 billion in new bilateral training agreements with provinces and territories.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases August 2026 Rural Employment Dashboard

Statistics Canada published new data on employment by industry in rural regions for August 2026. The release includes an interactive dashboard and analysis for the latest reference period. Data can be accessed on the Statistics Canada website.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canada and Alberta Hold Joint Groundbreaking for Major Energy Project

On September 7, federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and Alberta's Minister of Energy and Minerals, Brian Jean, attended a groundbreaking ceremony announcing a major energy project milestone in Clive, Alberta. Media access was coordinated by Natural Resources Canada. The project represents ongoing efforts to advance energy sector infrastructure at both levels of government.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta to Promote Major Investment Projects at Canada Investment Summit

Premier Danielle Smith, along with multiple provincial ministers and Invest Alberta, will attend the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto from September 13–15 to promote 34 advanced-stage projects, including opportunities in energy, critical minerals, and technology.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Nova Scotia Introduces Service Efficiency Act Targeting Red Tape Reduction

The Province of Nova Scotia introduced the Service Efficiency Act on September 8, updating over a dozen acts to simplify administration, reduce regulatory delays, and formally expand the Department of Growth, Development and Defence Industries' mandate.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

British Columbia Renews Support for Early-Stage Mining Technology

The Government of British Columbia has opened a second application period for Innovate BC’s Early-Stage Demonstration Call, allocating up to $2 million in pilot-scale demonstration funding, including for mining and critical minerals technology projects.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Federal Critical Habitat Protection Regulation Consultation Open

Environment and Climate Change Canada continues to seek feedback, through September 15, on the proposed Critical Habitat Protection Regulations under SARA for applicable federal lands.

Sources: species-registry.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Greenland Mines Enters New Era as Rare Earths and Critical Minerals Company, Achieves Full Nasdaq Compliance and Sets Biotech Spin-Off for Q4: Greenland Mines advances critical minerals ambitions, plans Q4 biotech spinoff.
• Leveraging Canada's mining moment can make this country strong: Media analysis on the strategic momentum in the Canadian mining sector.
• LEADING EDGE MATERIALS DRILLS NEAR-MINE TO TEST FOR A LARGER REGIONAL GRAPHITE SYSTEM AT WOXNA, SWEDEN: Leading Edge Materials undertakes graphite drilling in Sweden targeting expanded regional systems.
• N.W.T. looking to bolster critical minerals at Canada Investment Summit: Premier Simpson: N.W.T. government's critical minerals strategy covered during the national summit.
• GoldHaven Confirms Favourable Critical Minerals Geological Settings Across 123,900-Hectare Brazil Portfolio: GoldHaven releases technical findings for its large-scale portfolio in Brazil.
• Infrastructure investment needed to ‘supercharge’ Canadian mining, BMO analyst says: BMO analysis on the importance of infrastructure for Canadian mining growth.
• Are La Loche and northwest Sask. ready for NexGen's uranium mine to bring an economic boom?: Examination of economic outlook tied to uranium mining projects in northern Saskatchewan.
• Domestic Metals Commences Drill Program at Smart Creek Project, Montana: Domestic Metals starts drilling at Smart Creek project in Montana.
• N.W.T. looking to bolster critical minerals at Canada Investment Summit, says premier: NWT emphasizes critical minerals at national investment conference.
• DPM Metals Extends Mineralization at Dumitru Potok with High-Grade Intercepts: DPM Metals announces high-grade discovery in international portfolio.

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