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.

Dates: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 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

• INAN to Review Bill C-10 and Treaty Implementation: The House of Commons Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee meets March 10 to consider Bill C-10, An Act respecting the Commissioner for Modern Treaty Implementation, with witnesses from Deline Got'ine Government, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Tłı̨chǫ Government, Council of Yukon First Nations, Kitsumkalum Band Council, and Tsawwassen First Nation.
• ENVI Committee Drafts Report on Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: The House of Commons Environment and Sustainable Development Committee meets March 10 to consider a draft report on the effectiveness and potential improvements of Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan in an in camera session.

Federal Government News

Federal Government Launches $12.1 Billion in Critical Minerals Partnerships and Major Program Spending at PDAC 2026

At the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2026 Convention in Toronto, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson introduced a comprehensive suite of federal initiatives targeting critical minerals development. Notably, 30 new partnerships were announced under the Critical Minerals Production Alliance, unlocking $12.1 billion in capital and expanding total commitments under the program to $18.5 billion in Canadian mining projects. The federal government is also launching the $1.5-billion First and Last Mile Fund for infrastructure and the $2-billion Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund to address project financing and attract investment. Additional commitments included up to $165.2 million for 22 projects spanning infrastructure, processing, geoscience, and Indigenous participation, and $40 million toward the new Canadian Digital Core Library, developed in partnership with major mining companies and academic institutions to consolidate geoscience data nationwide. A mine permitting roadmap tool was launched to aid proponents navigating federal approvals. The event saw multiple cooperation agreements formalized with allies such as India, the EU, Greenland, and Italy, aligning Canadian supply chains with international demand. These measures, delivered alongside expanded tax credits (including coverage for 12 more minerals) and a new 'One Project, One Review' permitting model with six provinces, are designed to reduce investment risk, enhance supply chain reliability, and accelerate project delivery. Minister Hodgson also cited recent offtake agreements, R&D funding ($64.8 million for international projects), and a Second Mining Fund launch this spring.

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

CNSC Issues Site Preparation and Construction Licence for NexGen Energy’s Rook I Uranium Project

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has authorized NexGen Energy Ltd. to begin site preparation and construction on the Rook I uranium mine and mill in northern Saskatchewan. The licence is valid until March 31, 2036, and allows for extraction and processing from the Arrow deposit, with anticipated production of up to 14 million kilograms of U₃O₈ annually for 24 years. The project, located in the southern Athabasca Basin on Treaty 8 territory, underwent a multi-year evaluation including an environmental assessment under CEAA 2012 and extensive consultation with affected Indigenous communities. NexGen is required to implement all EA conditions, provide a $61.848 million surety bond to Saskatchewan, and maintain an Indigenous engagement program. The licence does not cover operational activities, which will require a separate hearing. Public hearing transcripts, all submissions, and conditions are available on the CNSC website.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Government Advances Digital Core Library for Mining Sector

Minister Hodgson announced progress on the Canadian Digital Core Library (CDCL) at PDAC 2026, committing up to $40 million to support a national platform that aggregates and digitizes drill core data across jurisdictions and companies. The CDCL, established through a non-binding Declaration of Intent between Natural Resources Canada, Creative Destruction Lab, Laurentian University, Agnico Eagle, Anglo American, BHP, Hudbay, Teck, and Vale, is expected to accelerate exploration, lower discovery costs, and provide broader access to geoscience data. The platform is positioned as a tool to strengthen competitiveness in resource discovery and improve industry investment certainty.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Invests in Mining Workforce Development through Sector Alliance

Minister Patty Hajdu convened industry leaders at PDAC to launch the Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance, aiming to address persistent workforce challenges in exploration, extraction, mineral processing, and supply chain formation. The alliance brings together employers, unions, educational institutions, and Indigenous partners to tackle labour shortages, align training with industry needs, and manage demographic shifts. In 2024, the mining sector contributed $112 billion to GDP and provided direct employment to approximately 438,000 workers. The alliance is one of six sector-based alliances developed under a broader government industrial strategy.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Commits $1.5 Million to Tłı̨chǫ-Led Mineral Exploration

At PDAC, the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs Rebecca Chartrand announced $1.5 million in federal funding over three years to support Tłı̨chǫ-led mineral exploration in the Northwest Territories. The funding, delivered through CanNor, is allocated to aerial surveys, ground-based prospecting, and data analysis. A primary objective is to attract investment by providing high-quality geophysical and geochemical data specific to Tłı̨chǫ lands while also providing training opportunities for Tłı̨chǫ citizens.

Sources: www.canada.ca

FedNor Invests in Mining Research and Development at Lakehead University

Minister Patty Hajdu announced a $440,948 investment via FedNor to upgrade Lakehead University’s mining research laboratory in Thunder Bay. The funds will equip a new research chair focusing on gold deposit modeling, purchase core microanalytical instruments, and support minor renovations. The project aims to advance gold exploration methods and provide new training platforms for industry geologists, benefiting both research and local mining firms.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Supports Mining-Linked International Development Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai announced $8.1 million in funding for three projects aimed at artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. The initiatives, with partners including IMPACT and Alinea International, focus on conflict prevention, governance improvements in the ASM sector, and transparent management of local mining funds. The announcement was made at the 27th Annual African Mining Breakfast during PDAC 2026, with the funding supporting stability, compliance, and capacity-building for local mining communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Capital Spending Rises in Oil and Gas Extraction Industries

According to Statistics Canada, capital expenditures in the oil and gas extraction sector totaled $11.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, representing a 7.2% increase over the previous quarter. The data reflects ongoing investment momentum across the sector as reported in the national quarterly survey.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Advances New Critical Minerals Strategy, Adds High-Purity Iron and Aluminum to List

Ontario Minister Stephen Lecce presented a vision document at PDAC 2026 inviting industry and public feedback on an updated Critical Minerals Strategy. The plan adds high-purity iron and aluminum to Ontario's list, updates regulatory processes, and includes expanded supports for exploration, processing, Indigenous partnerships, and manufacturing supply chains.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta to Launch Incentive Program for Critical Minerals Sector

Minister Brian Jean announced Alberta’s forthcoming incentive program, scheduled for 2027, targeting investment in critical minerals—especially lithium—with tax credits, increased access to Crown land, and potential flow-through share credits aimed at accelerating exploration and mineral processing.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta and Canada Reach Agreement-in-Principle on Environmental and Impact Assessment

Alberta and the federal government announced a cooperation agreement-in-principle recognizing Alberta’s primary role in environmental approvals for provincially regulated major projects, aiming to minimize regulatory duplication and accelerate project approvals. The draft agreement will be posted for public comment before finalization.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Invests $46 Million in Tailings Pond Reclamation Technologies

Alberta is committing $46 million through the TIER fund, supporting nine projects intended to reclaim tailings ponds and reduce mine water from oilsands operations, involving partners such as CNRL, Imperial, Suncor, NAIT, and others.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Manitoba Funds First Nation-Owned Minago Mine and New Critical Minerals Projects

Business, Mining, Trade, and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses announced at PDAC $3.4 million for critical minerals development, including $2 million for the First Nation-owned Minago magnesium facility and $1.4 million for eight new exploration projects across the province.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Government Consultations

Alberta Opens Online Survey on Nuclear Energy Roadmap

The Government of Alberta launched a public survey running from March 3–24, inviting Albertans to offer input on the future role of nuclear power in the province for the Nuclear Energy Engagement and Advisory Panel's final report.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Critical minerals in focus as major Toronto mining conference underway: Reporting from Toronto on the priorities raised at PDAC 2026.
• N.B. launches mining strategy, pitches clear approval process: New Brunswick offers a new framework aimed at regulatory clarity for mining proponents.
• Mining experts welcome Mark Carney’s funding but caution success won’t come easy: Experts weigh in on the recently announced federal mining investments and the implementation hurdles ahead.
• Ontario speeds up review of critical minerals strategy: Details the province's efforts on expediting strategy modernization.
• GoldHaven Files NI 43-101 Technical Report for the District-Scale Magno Polymetallic Project, Cassiar District, British Columbia: GoldHaven advances reporting for a core BC exploration asset.
• Mining industry faces youth gap as misconceptions persist, Sudbury students say: Sudbury students discuss mining career misconceptions and workforce issues.
• North American Niobium to Commence Systematic Bottom-of-Till and Bedrock Sampling at Sabot Project, Quebec: New systematic sampling campaign underway in Quebec.
• Mining in Ontario's Ring of Fire closer than ever, even without official fast-tracking: Reports on progress toward mining development in the Ring of Fire region.
• Domestic Metals Expands Targeting Initiative at Smart Creek Copper Project: Company update on Smart Creek copper exploration.
• N.B.'s new mining strategy met with excitement, concern: Stakeholders respond to New Brunswick's regulatory changes.

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