Ontario Investing to Accelerate Made-in-Canada Critical Minerals Supply Chain

SUDBURY — As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, the Ontario government is investing to accelerate the development and delivery of homegrown technologies that will unlock new mineral deposits, strengthen mining and processing capabilities and build a fully integrated, made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain. As part of its plan to build a stronger, more self-reliant economy, the government is investing more than $4 million through the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) to advance new technologies that attract investment and create more good-paying jobs across the province.

"Critical minerals are driving new jobs, investment and economic growth as the world turns to Ontario as its reliable partner," said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines and MPP for King—Vaughan. "Our province has world-class mineral deposits, workforce and a new permit system that has transformed Ontario into Canada's top jurisdiction for mining investment. After starting the road to the Ring of Fire five years ahead of schedule, Ontario is intentionally investing in made-in-Canada innovation and processing to strengthen our end-to-end critical minerals supply chain. At a time when countries around the world are competing for secure and reliable sources of critical minerals, Ontario is moving with speed to unlock the most ethical resources on earth."

Since 2018, Ontario has been building a world-class, end-to-end critical minerals supply chain. To support the next generation of mining and processing technologies, businesses can now apply through the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) for up to $500,000 per project support initiatives that:

• Building a home-grown battery supply chain: to support global electric vehicle markets, energy storage, and other advanced technologies.

• Deep exploration and mining: helping companies access mineral resources deeper below the Earth’s surface than previously explored.

• Recovery of minerals: by using advanced technologies to retrieve minerals from tailings produced at mine sites.

• Mining innovation: accelerating projects that create new innovations in the critical minerals sector.

  
  

Ontario is taking historic action to become the world's leading jurisdiction for critical minerals and mining. Through transformative permitting reforms, the province now ranks first in Canada and second globally for mining investment attractiveness. Combined with accelerating construction of the roads to the Ring of Fire five years ahead of schedule, Ontario is unlocking generational economic opportunity, attracting investment, creating jobs and building a secure, made-in-Canada supply chain for the critical minerals the world needs.

Since its launch in 2022, Ontario has invested more than $25 million in 47 strategic projects that are transforming Ontario’s mining and minerals sector at all levels, from extraction to processing and advanced manufacturing. By helping companies commercialize breakthrough technologies, the fund positions the province as a global mineral powerhouse by attracting international investment.

The CMIF is a key initiative in the government’s plan to update its Critical Minerals Strategy and position the province as a reliable global supplier of responsibly sourced critical minerals and build one, fully integrated, made-in-Ontario supply chain. As the global demand for critical minerals needed to manufacture batteries, modern defence technologies and advanced manufacturing skyrockets, Ontario has the deposits, skilled workforce, expertise and investment certainty to secure the province’s place as the most competitive jurisdiction in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business.

Quick Facts

• Applications are open from June 30, 2026 to August 25, 2026 and can be submitted through Transfer Payment Ontario.

• In June, Ontario announced the third intake of the CMIF which included 18 innovative projects that received nearly $8 million in funding and leveraged an additional $12.3 million in private sector investment.

• Ontario's mining sector is a significant economic driver, contributing approximately $14.4 billion to Ontario's GDP annually and supporting around 150,000 direct and indirect jobs.

• There are currently 37 active mining operations in Ontario, with the majority located in Northern Ontario. Of these operations, eight are base metal (nickel, copper, zinc) mines.

• The government is also investing $500 million into the new Critical Minerals Processing Fund to provide financial support for projects that accelerate the province's critical mineral processing capacity and made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain.

• The province is investing nearly $3.1 billion in loans, guarantees, grants and scholarships that would support Indigenous participation, partnership and ownership in Ontario's critical mineral supply chain.

  
  

Quotes

"Ontario’s critical minerals supply chain plays an integral role in fueling the resilience and competitiveness of our battery manufacturing, defence and technology sectors. Through the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund, our government is helping local companies research, develop and commercialize their breakthrough technologies, further ensuring that Ontario workers stand to benefit from emerging opportunities and investment at all stages of the supply chain."

- Vic Fedeli

Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

"The Ontario Mining Association applauds the Ontario government for investing in the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund to help advance the next generation of mining technologies. Continued investment in innovation is essential to building a resilient, made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain. This commitment reinforces Ontario's leadership in supplying the responsibly produced minerals that are essential to advanced manufacturing, economic security and emerging technologies."

- Priya Tandon

President, Ontario Mining Association

"Northern Ontario is at the centre of Canada's critical minerals future, and investments that help companies develop new technologies, unlock mineral resources, and strengthen processing capacity will create lasting opportunities for our communities. The Critical Minerals Innovation Fund supports good-paying jobs, attracts investment, and reinforces Ontario's position as a global leader in responsible resource development. FONOM welcomes this continued commitment to building a strong, made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain that benefits Northern Ontario and Canada's economy."

- Dave Plourde

President, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM)

"Northwestern Ontario is at the forefront of Canada's critical minerals future, and investments that help commercialize new technologies and strengthen Ontario's mining supply chain are investments in our communities, workers and economy. Supporting innovation today will unlock new opportunities across the North, create good-paying jobs and help ensure Ontario remains a global leader in responsibly sourced critical minerals for decades to come."

- Rick Dumas

President, Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA)

"The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce welcomes investments that advance innovation in Ontario’s critical minerals sector. As a global mining centre, Greater Sudbury is helping develop the technologies and expertise that support growth across Northern Ontario and position the province as a leader in the next generation of mining innovation."

- Marie Litalien

President and CEO, Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce

"Ontario is home to some of the world's most innovative mining suppliers. Continued investment in new technologies helps ensure those innovations are developed, tested and adopted here at home—creating stronger businesses, better mines and lasting economic benefits for Ontario."

- Marla Tremblay

Executive Director, MineConnect

Additional Resources

• Critical Minerals Innovation Fund

• Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy

  
  

MEDIA CONTACT                                                                                              

Stephen Lecce, MPP for King—Vaughan

Constituency Office

Tel.: 647-560-9700        

Email: Stephen.Lecce@pc.ola.org