September 20, 2026 to September 26, 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
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Senate Indigenous Peoples Committee to Examine Budget Implementation Bill: On September 29, the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples will review Division 14 of Bill C-31, with input from Crown-Indigenous Relations, Justice, and Natural Resources Canada officials. The meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. in room C128 of the Senate of Canada Building and will be held in camera.

Federal Government News

Bill C-39—the Building Canada Strong Act—Introduced to Accelerate Project Reviews and Modernize Labour Laws

On September 21, the federal government tabled Bill C-39, known as the Building Canada Strong Act. This legislative package aims to overhaul regulatory approvals for large-scale infrastructure and resource projects, mandating all federal reviews and decisions reach completion within one year of a proponent's comprehensive application. The bill is positioned as the most significant reform to Canada's regulatory framework for project approvals in a generation, with provisions to clarify participation for project proponents and Indigenous groups. Accompanying the legislation is a Cabinet Directive requiring adherence to the one-year limit and the application of a mitigation hierarchy policy during environmental reviews. The bill also introduces measures to upgrade port governance, improve trade corridors, and digitize trade operations, as well as to add over 100 new occupational health and safety officers and additional staff for the Canada Industrial Relations Board to address backlogs. The reforms were informed by a nationwide consultation with a range of stakeholders, including industry and Indigenous organizations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Launches Digital Core Scanning—Investment Kicks Off National Geoscience Data Platform

Natural Resources Canada announced the Canadian Digital Core Library (CDCL) has begun operations, with the first core scans of Northwest Territories samples completed in Calgary as of September 14. CDCL is designed as an AI-ready digital platform for core samples from across the country, enabling expanded access to geoscience data vital for mining exploration and resource assessment. The initiative involves multiple provinces and territories setting core scans as a near-term priority, and Saskatchewan received $2.16 million in federal backing for compatible infrastructure. Federal, provincial, and territorial geoscience expertise is being pooled to accelerate scanning and data mobilization. As the project scales up, digitized core records are expected to enhance investment confidence and critical mineral supply chain intelligence.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Finds Threat of Injury from Chinese Grinding Media—Duties Initiated

On September 22, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) concluded its inquiry (NQ-2026-002) into forged grinding media imports from China, finding that while no injury has yet occurred, the goods pose a threat to the Canadian manufacturing sector. As a result, anti-dumping and countervailing duties will be collected by the Canada Border Services Agency. The ruling comes after a complaint was filed by Moly-Cop Canada. The Tribunal’s reasons, to be released October 7, will inform further action from the federal government. This decision affects tariffs and import practices relating to mining consumables and will be monitored for subsequent regulatory developments.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Technical Briefing Scheduled on Regulatory Efficiency for Major Projects

The Government of Canada scheduled a technical briefing for September 22 to review details of Part 1 of the Building Canada Strong Act, covering proposed improvements to regulatory review and permitting processes. Senior officials will explain the operational implications and expected changes to timelines for media and industry stakeholders in a virtual session, providing background on anticipated adjustments to project approval cycles for mining and other resource sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Atlantic Economic Panel Report Recommends Strategies for Growth, Mines Featured in Regional Investment Priorities

The Atlantic Economic Panel released its report 'Bolder Ambitions: Greater Prosperity for All' in Riverview, New Brunswick, on September 25, outlining proposals intended to boost productivity, attract major investment, and foster cross-provincial cooperation. Mining, regulatory integration, grid linking, and targeted financing instruments for resource markets are among the report’s recommendations. The federal government affirmed it will review the policy suggestions, with $400,000 in support provided to St. Francis Xavier University for a 2027 Atlantic Economic Forum focused on the implementation phase.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Issues July Mineral Production Survey Results

Statistics Canada released results from its Monthly Mineral Production Survey for July 2026, providing updated figures for extracted minerals and refined metals. This data offers industry operators and investors insight into current trends in output volumes, which inform market supply estimates and business planning.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Oil and Gas Extraction Survey—Detailed 2025 Data Released

Statistics Canada published the Oil and Gas Extraction Survey for 2025 on September 24. The dataset provides financial, operational, and balance sheet information for Canadian establishments in the oil and gas extraction industry, detailing sector performance for the prior calendar year.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Q2 2026 Natural Resource Indicators Updated

On September 25, Statistics Canada made available the Natural Resource Indicators for the second quarter of 2026, as well as major revisions to Q1 data. These indicators allow resource sector actors to monitor changes in economic activity, employment, and value added across mining, forestry, and energy.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Monthly Energy Transportation and Storage Survey—July 2026 Figures Now Published

Statistics Canada’s July 2026 data for the transportation and storage of crude oil and petroleum products is now online. This resource is used by participants in the energy supply chain to track movements and inventory changes across the country.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

B.C. Fixed Permitting Timelines Yield Faster Mineral Exploration Approvals

Six months after implementing fixed targets for mineral exploration permits, British Columbia has processed all applications within their timelines, with some permits delivered ahead of schedule. The new framework is being credited with reducing median approval times by 8% since March 2025, impacting projects like Ranch East (Thesis Gold & Silver) and Fran Project (MGX Minerals), both permitted in less than 70 days.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Invests $3.4 Million for Manufacturing Jobs, Including Mining Equipment Suppliers

Ontario’s Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation is investing over $3.4 million in equipment and facility upgrades for 12 companies, with funds benefiting firms like Jennmar Canada (Sudbury), R.F. Contracting (Sault Ste. Marie), and Andy’s Trailers & Manufacturing (Timmins), suppliers to the mining and heavy equipment sectors.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta to Promote Trade and Industry Partnerships in Mexico and Texas

Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, Joseph Schow, is leading a trade mission to Mexico and Texas from September 27, aiming to engage with government and industry leaders on economic cooperation and to showcase Alberta’s expertise and resources.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

British Columbia Allocates $27 Million for Clean Industry Fund to Decarbonize Industrial Operations

British Columbia has announced nearly $27 million for 17 industrial decarbonization projects, with Innovation Accelerator grants and feasibility studies for technologies like carbon capture and emissions reduction, expected to influence future mining operations.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Quebec Ministry Launches ‘In the Territory of Expertise’ Podcast Covering Mine Site Rehabilitation

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests has introduced a podcast series, including episodes on the restoration of mining sites, to provide the public with a view into technical work on environmental remediation.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation—Proposed Renewal of Environmental Performance Agreements for Base Metals Facilities

Environment and Climate Change Canada is inviting comment through September 30 on the proposed renewal of agreements related to air pollutant controls at base metals operations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Consultation—CNSC Guidance on Nuclear Response Force Effectiveness

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is collecting input until September 30 on REGDOC-2.12.1, which sets updated requirements for nuclear response force training and deployment at high-security facilities.

Sources: www.cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

Consultation—CNSC Seeks Feedback on Site Access Security Clearance Process

CNSC is seeking stakeholder comments on REGDOC-2.12.2, governing site access security for protected nuclear facilities, through September 30.

Sources: www.cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Upcycling waste: researchers pitch newest solution for Giant Mine’s arsenic trioxide: Researchers are proposing new approaches to managing arsenic trioxide waste at Yellowknife’s Giant Mine.
• ‘Keep that talent home’: N.S. miner returns as province revives gold mine operations: Revival of gold mining is drawing former talent back to operations in Nova Scotia.
• Critical minerals are already in high demand, and that's only going to grow. The biggest proposed mine in the Yukon has two critical minerals in the ground, hear more about the Casino project: CBC discusses investment and development prospects tied to Yukon’s Casino mine.
• Critical minerals and the Yukon's largest proposed mine: Video coverage focuses on the scale and resource mix at Yukon's leading mining project.
• Alaska port gets 1st funds from Yukon mine to study options for shipping critical minerals: Funding from Yukon mining firms is aimed at evaluating shipment logistics from Alaska ports.
• DEEP SEA MINERALS, WESTWIN SIGN NON-BINDING LETTER OF INTENT TO EVALUATE U.S. PROCESSING OF POLYMETALLIC NODULES: Deep Sea Minerals and Westwin agree to evaluate U.S.-based refining for ocean nodule metals.
• DEEP SEA MINERALS CORP. WELCOMES U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR COMMENTS ON DEEP SEA MINERAL PERMITTING: U.S. regulators engage in deep sea mineral project permitting, according to company remarks.
• Fast-Track Permitting Is Reshaping the Gold-Antimony Development Race: New permitting practices are affecting timelines for gold-antimony projects.
• Greenland Mines Expands European Investor Access with Frankfurt Stock Exchange Listing: Greenland Mines is now listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange to bolster European investment.

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