WESTERN Canada’s provinces and territories have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which aims to unlock Canada’s potential as a global leader in critical minerals by leveraging regional strengths and aligning infrastructure investments.
“Western Canada is rich in critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper and rare earths, which are crucial for clean energy, advanced technology and defence applications,” said Jagrup Brar, B.C. Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals, on Sunday. “There’s a generational opportunity beneath our feet. Together, we can advance a robust critical mineral value chain in Western and Northern Canada that accesses new export markets, increases trade opportunities, creates jobs and brings in investment across the region.”
Brar joined other western and northern Canadian ministers responsible for critical minerals at a first-ever in-person summit meeting in Vancouver. The summit included presentations and a roundtable discussion, featuring industry, investment and Indigenous leaders. The sessions closed with the ministers signing an agreement to collaborate on a unified critical mineral strategy.
The MOU, signed Sunday, January 25, establishes a framework for co-operation toward a Western Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy to:
* promote Western Canada as a global hub for critical minerals innovation and sustainable development;
* prioritize regional critical mineral hubs; and
* identify the infrastructure planning and investment needed to maximize mineral extraction, processing and export capacity.
Participating provinces and territories have committed to advance reconciliation and create opportunities for Indigenous leadership partnership, participation and/or ownership in critical minerals development. The final strategy is expected to be published in line with the 2026 Energy and Mining Ministers Conference in June.
Brian Jean, Minister of Energy and Minerals (Alberta), said: “Alberta is ready to lead. With our world-class geology, our strength in processing and refining and our commitment to responsible resource development, we are well positioned to help build secure and resilient critical minerals supply chains for Western Canada. This MOU builds on the western premiers’ work to advance economic corridors, and it sets a clear direction for how we will work together to strengthen Canada’s role as a reliable global partner in critical minerals.”
Chris Beaudry, Minister of Energy and Resources (Saskatchewan), said: “Saskatchewan looks forward to working together to strengthen supply chains and to build and expand priority infrastructure that will get critical minerals from our province to export markets more efficiently. As Canada’s leading primary producer of critical minerals and one of the world’s top jurisdictions for mining investment, Saskatchewan will play a key role as this partnership looks to increase investor confidence and economic growth in western Canada.”
Jamie Moses, Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister (Manitoba), said: “This memorandum of understanding strengthens Western Canada’s economic resilience by aligning regional priorities in the critical minerals sector. Working together allows us to attract investment, grow supply chains and create good jobs, while partnering meaningfully with Indigenous nations to ensure development is inclusive, responsible and delivers shared economic benefits.”
Ted Laking, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources (Yukon), said: “The Yukon’s abundant critical minerals are positioned to be a driver of Canada’s continued growth and security. We look forward to working closely with our neighbours to unlock our critical mineral potential. This work includes creating an electricity corridor for communities and mines in Canada’s northwest. A Yukon-B.C. transmission line would power thousands of Canadian jobs, while reducing diesel reliance and strengthening the Yukon’s energy security. Working together, we can make Canada a global leader in critical minerals and strengthen the security and sovereignty of our nation.”
Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (Northwest Territories), said: “The Northwest Territories is a vast territory with diverse geology and enormous potential for new critical mineral discoveries. We’re strengthening our regulatory environment with Indigenous partners and advancing large-scale infrastructure projects like the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor – work that will help next-generation resource projects move more efficiently, at lower cost and with improved connectivity. We see opportunity across our shared borders, and we are stronger and more successful when we advance this potential together.”
Craig Simailak, Minister Responsible for Mines (Nunavut), said: “We are excited to see the collaboration of these parties to advance this critically important opportunity.”
BACKGROUNDER
Western, northern regions rich in critical minerals
* B.C. is Canada’s largest producer of copper and only producer of molybdenum, and hosts one of the world’s largest fully integrated zinc refining complexes.
* Alberta is home to leading refineries for critical minerals, including nickel, cobalt and magnesium.
* Manitoba is home to one of only three active lithium mines in North America.
* Saskatchewan is the world’s largest producer of potash, second largest producer of uranium and Canada’s largest producer of helium.
* Northwest Territories is home to 25 of the 34 critical minerals on Canada’s Critical Minerals List.
* Yukon’s critical minerals endowment includes copper, nickel, zinc, molybdenum, antimony, tin, manganese and tungsten.
* Nunavut has world-class zinc and high-grade copper and uranium deposits.
* Together, Western and Northern Canada have access to five deepwater ports accessing the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean via Hudson’s Bay.
Learn More:
* B.C. Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/
* Alberta Ministry of Energy and Minerals: https://www.alberta.ca/energy-
* Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/
* Manitoba Ministry of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation: https://www.gov.mb.ca/jec/
* Yukon Department of Energy, Mines and Resources: https://yukon.ca/en/
* Northwest Territories Mines and Minerals: https://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/en/
* Nunavut Mining and Exploration: https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/
