Ontario has unveiled a renewed Critical Minerals Strategy aimed at accelerating responsible resource development, strengthening domestic supply chains and creating jobs across the province – including economic benefits that could ripple into communities like Northumberland County.
The province released a new vision paper titled Fortifying Ontario’s Economy: A Plan to Accelerate Responsible Resource Development at the annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention. Public consultation is now underway to shape the next phase of the strategy.
As part of the update, Ontario has added high purity iron and aluminum to its Critical Minerals List, bringing the total to 35 minerals. The materials are key inputs for automotive, aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing sectors – industries with supply chains and transportation links that extend into southern Ontario.
The province says global instability, U.S. tariffs and supply chain disruptions have underscored the need for greater Canadian self reliance in resource development and processing.
Ontario’s mining sector currently supports approximately 28,000 direct jobs and 46,000 indirect jobs. There are 37 active mining operations in the province and 33 significant projects in development.
Since launching its first Critical Minerals Strategy in 2022, Ontario has introduced a One Project, One Process permitting framework, invested $500 million in a Critical Minerals Processing Fund and committed funding to innovation and Indigenous participation initiatives.
Officials say modernizing the strategy will help attract investment, accelerate development and ensure Ontario remains competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)