Ontario can speed up critical minerals industry and maintain environmental standards, report says

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel discussion at Science North in Sudbury on Wednesday to discuss the future of mining.

The conversation centered on a report released by the chamber last month, calling on all levels of government to sharpen their critical mineral strategy.

Sudbury chamber president Marie Litalien said it was important that the official launch of the report, called ‘Mining 2030: Unearthing Ontario’s Potential,’ took place in northern Ontario.

“The north (has) such a large impact on this industry and is really the key to unlocking its potential,” Litalien said.

“So we’re very excited to work with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to host this event here, where it makes sense.”

The report argues that more needs to be done to unlock Ontario’s critical mineral potential on a provincial and federal level. Recommendations include strengthening Indigenous partnerships, using a ‘one-stop-shop’ process for all permits to create mines faster and a long-term strategy for infrastructure.

“I think one of the biggest challenges that the report addresses -- and we saw this throughout the last year with a lot of regulatory reform … that both Canada and Ontario put forward -- is really the speed at which and efficiency at which mining projects pass through the regulatory system,” said Krista Maydew IAMGOLD’s vice-president of external affairs.

“It hasn’t been a great source of investor confidence.”

Sydney Oakes, Canada Nickel Company director of Indigenous relations and public affairs, said it’s possible to speed up the process and do it properly.

“As we open up more mines and we do it with greater regulatory certainty and speed, we do not have to diminish any of the environmental or Indigenous rights,” Oakes said.

“We are really, really going to see an economic, social and environmental boom in the province.”

Economic benefits

Gemma Stanton-Hagan is director of economics and policy at PwC, which was the lead research company for the report. Stanton-Hagan said it found ways to significantly reduce timelines “while upholding strong environmental protections.”

“And we also looked at the economic benefits that can come out of those changes,” she said.

“We did some economic modelling that shows that improvements of various regulatory processes could lead to $1 billion in additional GDP and 4,000 to 8,500 jobs.”

Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre said the report will be a “catalyst” for speeding up the development of the mining industry in Ontario.

“And for our friends in the GTA to realize the importance of mining in the everyday world, as well as to the everyday wealth that we’re generating and contributing to our province and to our country,” Lefebvre said.

The panel wrapped up Wednesday with a focus on the next decade, noting that amid global instability, Canada’s reliability is our greatest asset. Officials said the report is more than just a plan for extraction—it’s a roadmap for partnership.