Horizontal initiatives - Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

National Research Council Canada (NRC)

Transport Canada (TC)

Successful implementation of the CCMS will require a coordinated, multi-pronged approach, given that responsibilities for specific areas and initiatives for critical minerals fall within the purview of multiple federal departments. An interdepartmental governance structure, under the direction of an Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM)-level Horizontal Initiative Oversight Committee with representation from all partner departments, will be maintained to ensure oversight, facilitate coordination amongst departments, and provide strategic direction.

NRCan’s Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence will serve as the Government of Canada lead on the development and coordination of Canada’s policies and programs on critical minerals and will provide strategic oversight of, and direction on, the development and implementation of all areas of focus and initiatives included in the CCMS. This includes managing the interdepartmental governance structure.

The ADM-level Horizontal Initiative Oversight Committee is chaired by the ADM of the Lands and Minerals Sector, NRCan and includes ADM representation from all partner departments (CIRNAC, ISED, NRC, and TC), as well as ADM representation from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Department of National Defence (DND), Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), Infrastructure Canada, Indigenous Service Canada (ISC), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), and Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). The Oversight Committee will be responsible for providing direction on the development and implementation of the CCMS, supporting cross-departmental coordination, ensuring timely and accurate reporting, and identifying issues that may require Deputy Minister engagement.

The Deputy Minister Climate Plan Implementation Committee, co-chaired by NRCan and ECCC, provides strategic oversight of, and direction on, the development and implementation of federal policies, programs, regulations and services related to clean growth and climate change, including critical minerals.

The Oversight Committee will be supported by four Director General (DG)-level committees that will provide oversight and guidance of the most significant initiatives under the CCMS:

• DG Critical Minerals Innovation Advisory Committee (co-chairs: NRCan; Mining Association of Canada) – this committee ensures alignment with the mining industry and other stakeholders, and to foster collaboration in areas of common interest.
• DG Committee on Ring of Fire (co-chairs: NRCan; Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario) – this committee addresses priorities, challenges and emerging issues related to potential critical minerals development in the Ring of Fire region.
• DG Infrastructure Investment Review Committee – Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) (co-chairs: NRCan; TC) – this committee will provide oversight and issue recommendations on targeted infrastructure investments through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF).
• DG Investment Review Committee - Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) (chair: ISED) – this committee will provide advice and guidance on contributions towards proposals that support government priorities and objectives, consistent with SIF’s Terms and Conditions.

A director-level Critical Minerals Strategy Implementation Committee, chaired by NRCan, supports the Oversight Committee to guide the development and implementation of the CCMS. There are also three interdepartmental working groups:

• The SIF Critical Minerals Interdepartmental Working Group, co-chaired by NRCan and ISED, assesses incoming Statements of Interest and makes recommendations to the SIF Critical Minerals Director Consensus Committee to ensure project assessments are approached from a practical, whole-of-government perspective that integrates horizontal policy considerations, cross-government expertise, and other potential funding mechanisms. The SIF Critical Minerals Director Consensus Committee, chaired by SIF, assesses interdepartmental recommendations from Critical Minerals Interdepartmental Working Group and develops consensus on all recommendations made to the Investment Review Committee (IRC).
• The Sub-Committee on Performance Measurement, chaired by NRCan, supports reporting on performance and results for the programs and initiatives under the CCMS and supports access to ongoing and timely data on progress to support decision-making.
• The Sub-Committee on Communications, chaired by NRCan, supports communications for programs and initiatives under the CCMS.

2024-2025 Planning Highlights

NRCan will continue to engage and work with partner departments and other stakeholders as required to implement and advance the initiatives of the CCMS. Specific planning highlights include:

Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence (CMCE)

• Coordinate across the federal family to track and report results of the CCMS.
• Manage the CCMS governance framework, including chairing the Critical Minerals Strategy Implementation Committee and the DG Critical Minerals Innovation Advisory Committee, co-chairing the DG Committee on Ring of Fire, participating in the DG Investment Review Committee, and managing sub-committee and working-level governance meetings.
• Work closely with initiative leads and partner departments to ensure that annual reporting targets are achievable.

Technology and Innovation (CMRDD)

• Enter into new contribution agreements as well as manage existing agreements based on the recent calls for proposal of the Critical Mineral Research & Development and Demonstration Program (CMRDD), engage partners and stakeholders on industry requirements for the CMRDD, and track and report results.
• In support of the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, the NRC will accelerate the discovery of new processes and materials to unlock a clean, efficient and competitive battery supply chain in Canada. This year, the NRC will advance the development of new technology solutions to make the processing, refining and recycling of critical minerals more sustainable. The NRC will accomplish this in close collaboration with Natural Resources Canada.
• Finalize all research reports from Phase 1 of the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration (CMRDD) program; roll out Phase 2 of the CMRDD program (selection and kick-off of R&D projects); and continue working with international collaborators on developing of the R&D portion of the Global Partnership Initiative (set up collaboration agreements focussing on UK, South Korea & France as main partners, and kick-off R&D projects).

Critical Minerals Geoscience and Data (CMGD)

• Administer Contribution projects for provincial and territorial governments and agencies through an open call for proposals (May, 2024).
• Manage existing contribution agreements, engage with collaborators and stakeholders on Canada’s critical mineral resources.
• Continue internal research on understanding, quantifying, and modelling Canada’s critical mineral potential, inclusive of Environmental, Societal and Governance principles.

Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF)

• Administer Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) Grant & Contribution funding, including calls for proposals, project funding agreements, stakeholder engagement, and tracking and reporting of results.

Global Partnerships Initiative (GPI)

• Administer Grants & Contributions through directed and open calls for proposals, and track and report on results, for Gs&Cs in 2024-25 under the GPI related to international collaborations in geoscience, R&D, transparency, traceability, and sustainability. Will also further internal efforts to support critical minerals global partnerships to develop data, attract investments and develop markets, support R&D, and uphold Canada’s commitments under the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act (ESTMA).

Indigenous Natural Resources Partnership (INRP)

• The INRP program re-opening will focus on the critical minerals stream in accordance with the Critical Minerals Strategy, and prioritize projects that will bridge potential investment gaps within the natural resource sector, by Indigenous distinction, and jurisdiction.
• The program will continue to manage existing contribution agreements by monitoring progress of current project activities and outcomes, while strengthening relationships with existing INRP recipients.

Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)

• Advance projects towards contribution agreements under the SIF’s Critical Minerals target, with a view to reaching the $1.5B target by 2029-30.
• Continue to engage with federal partners, provinces and territories, and regional development agencies to ensure coordination and optimal funding packages.

Northern Regulatory Initiative

• Continue to administer Grants & Contributions to otherwise unfunded organizations to support improved Indigenous participation in northern resource management processes and initiatives (including impact assessments, land use plans, and regional studies) and advance opportunities for regulatory dialogues and information sharing among partners.

Andrew Ghattas

Senior Director, Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence

Policy and Economics Branch

Lands and Minerals Sector, NRCan

580 Booth Street, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0E6

(613) 716-4801

Andrew.Ghattas@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca

Theme A

Support economic growth and competitiveness

Theme B

Promote climate action and strong environmental management

Theme C

Advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples & foster diverse and inclusive workforces and communities

Theme D

Enhance global security and partnership with allies

Outcome 1: Value is added by developing, expanding, and integrating Canadian value chains, including midstream processing and the circular economy

Outcome 2: Economic growth is enhanced through the anticipated increase in GDP growth

Outcome 3: High-quality and paying jobs are created in the critical minerals sector

Outcome 1: Nature and biodiversity-related commitments and standards are upheld by limiting the environmental footprint of mining activities and advancing exemplary ESG standards

Outcome 2: GHG emissions are reduced through the deployment of clean technologies and low-emission industrial processes, in line with Canada’s Emissions Reduction Plan

Outcome 3: Indigenous knowledge is incorporated into sustainable critical mineral development (in line with Indigenous Knowledge Policy Framework for Project Reviews and Regulatory Decisions, and Indigenous guardian programs)

Outcome 1: Economic reconciliation is prioritized by enhancing Indigenous participation in jobs, businesses, and ownership of mining and enabling infrastructure projects

Outcome 2: Diversity and inclusion in the workforce are enhanced for employment equity seeking groups

Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence
(top-up) $10,556,112

Technology and Innovation Initiative (Activity 1) (top-up) $44,400,000
(Activities 2 and 3) (new) $60,000,000

Critical Minerals Geoscience and Data Initiative (Activities 1, 2, and 4)
(new) $37,215,832

Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (Activities 1 and 2)
(new) $1,483,178,544

Indigenous Partnerships Office and the Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships Program
(expansion) $25,000,000

Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund
(Activity 3)
(new) $13,994,914

Number of processing facilities for critical minerals in operation and under construction, by urban/rural classification

[GBA Plus indicator]

At least 1 new processing facility for critical minerals in operation or under construction in an urban^{Footnote 11} location per year (2022 baseline: 0 urban)

At least 1 new processing facility for critical minerals in operation or under construction in a rural^{Footnote 12} location per year (2022 baseline: 0 rural)

100%

(2022 baseline: N/A)^{Footnote 27}

TBD following baseline survey conducted in 2023-24

(2023-24 baseline: TBD)

TBD following baseline survey conducted in 2023-24

(2023-24 baseline: TBD)

Geoscience and Data Initiative Activity 1: Establish a comprehensive critical minerals knowledge base

Geoscience and Data Activity 2: Conduct critical minerals systems studies to support exploration and development of new or emerging sources of critical minerals

$10,215,832

$24,400,000

$2,529,759

$5,948,190

2023/24: 65
2024/25: 250
2025/26: 350
2026/27: 450

(2022 baseline: 0)

2023/24: 1,500
2024/25: 7,500
2025/26: 10,000
2026/27: 12,500

(2022 baseline: 0)

2023/24: 0
2024/25: 50
2025/26: 100
2026/27: 200

(2022 baseline: 0)

List is updated approximately every 3 years, as needed^{Footnote 32}

(2022 baseline: First list was published in 2021)

25%

50%

75%

(2024/25 baseline TBD once the electronic data collection tool for the mineral exploration survey is developed and launched)

2024/25

2025/26

2026/27

$44,400,000

$3,100,000

$16,111,442

$1,045,949

(1) Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program
(BNQ22)

(2) Energy, Mining and Environment Research Centre (BNQ05)

1. Percentage of projects that produce technical reports

1. 85% of projects produce technical reports (2023 baseline: N/A)^{Footnote 35}

NRCan (BTO02): up to $442,799,075

NRCan (BTM09): up to $1,113,138

Up to $34,991,568

Up to

$166,831

Up to

$136,635

NRCAN: Provision of Federal Leadership in the Minerals and Metals Sector (BTO02); Electricity Resources (BTM09)

TC: National Trade Corridors (BTY04)

NRCan (BTO02): Minimum of $1,036,660,296

NRCan (BTM09): Minimum of $2,606,035

TC: Minimum of $1,980,564

Minimum of

$81,920,605

Minimum of

$390,577

Minimum of

$319,885

95%^{Footnote 56 Footnote 57} of Yukon engagement opportunities where northern partners participate in sustainable northern resource management discussions on critical mineral development (2023 baseline: 0)

95% of NWT engagement opportunities where northern partners participate in sustainable northern resource management discussions on critical mineral development (2023 baseline: 0)

95% of Nunavut engagement opportunities where northern partners participate in sustainable northern resource management discussions on critical mineral development (2023 baseline: 0)

25%^{Footnote 72 Footnote 73} Indigenous representation participation in Yukon (2023 baseline: 0%)

25% Indigenous representation participation in the Northwest Territories (2023 Baseline: 26%)^{Footnote 74}

25% Indigenous representation participation in Nunavut (2023 baseline: 0%)

100% of decisions and follow-up actions will integrate Indigenous knowledge, science and environmental data in the Northwest Territories (2023 baseline: 0%)

100% of decisions and follow-up actions will integrate Indigenous knowledge, science and environmental data in Nunavut (2023 baseline: 0%)

100% of decisions and follow-up actions will integrate Indigenous knowledge, science and environmental data in Yukon (2023 baseline: 0%)

100% of decisions and follow-up actions will integrate Indigenous knowledge, science and environmental data in the Northwest Territories (2023 baseline: 0%)

100% of decisions and follow-up actions will integrate Indigenous knowledge, science and environmental data in Nunavut (2023 baseline: 0%)

Advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples & Foster diverse and inclusive workforces and communities^{Footnote 75}

Total employment in funding recipient organizations, by gender

[GBA Plus indicator]

20% women+ representation; 80% men+ representation^{Footnote 79}

(2021 baseline: women+ 18%; men+ 78%)^{Footnote 80}

Total employment in funding recipient organizations, by Indigenous Identity

[GBA Plus indicator]

7% Indigenous representation;
93% non-Indigenous^{Footnote 81}

(2021 baseline: Indigenous representation 5%; non-Indigenous representation 95%^{Footnote 82})

Total employment in funding recipient organizations, by racialization^{Footnote 83}

[GBA Plus indicator]

25% racialized representation; 75% non-racialized representation^{Footnote 84}

(2021 baseline: racialized representation 22%; non-racialized representation 78%^{Footnote 85})

Number of Gs&Cs projects funded under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, by rural/urban classification^{Footnote 87}

[GBA Plus indicator]

Rural: 405

Urban: 45^{Footnote 88}

(2023 baseline: rural N/A; urban N/A)^{Footnote 89}

Number of contribution agreements that support participation of underrepresented groups within Indigenous communities^{Footnote 91}

[GBA Plus Indicator]

At least 1 contribution agreement that supports participation of underrepresented groups

(2022 baseline: 0)

50 new international engagements

(2022 baseline: 0)