Western, northern provinces, territories join forces on critical

British Columbia has been leading the co-development of a Western and Northern Canadian critical-minerals strategy that will expand critical-mineral development and processing throughout the region, working in partnership with Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

“I am glad to see that this critical-minerals strategy is now in place and will guide efforts to expand mining and processing capacity across Western and Northern Canada, helping position the region as a prime destination for strategic investment,” said Jagrup Brar, B.C. Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals. “B.C. has played a leading role in advancing this work, and we look forward to continued collaboration with our partners to ensure Western and Northern Canada fully realizes its potential as a cornerstone of Canada’s economic future.”

Western and Northern Canada is a globally competitive hub for critical minerals, bringing together abundant critical-mineral resources, strong industrial processing capacity and strategic infrastructure to support the clean-energy transition, Indigenous partnerships, advanced manufacturing, food security and secure supply chains.

“Western and Northern Canada bring considerable assets to the global critical-minerals market,” said Pierre Gratton, president and CEO, Mining Association of Canada. “Aligning those assets across seven jurisdictions through the Critical Minerals Strategy for Western and Northern Canada will make the region a more compelling destination for the long-term partnerships and investments needed to build resilient critical-minerals supply chains and support economic growth and jobs for decades to come.”

Stronger Together: a Critical Minerals Strategy for Western and Northern Canada provides a co-ordinated framework that positions the region as a key player in responding to evolving global economic and geo-political conditions, while also strengthening the economies of the Northern and Western Canada, and Canada as a whole.

Provinces and territories, including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and British Columbia, are actively collaborating on the implementation of the strategy. Continued partnership across governments, Indigenous communities and industry will be essential to unlocking the region’s full value-chain potential from exploration and extraction through to processing and manufacturing.

Each jurisdiction brings distinct and complementary strengths to Canada’s critical-mineral advantage, from geological endowment and established mining infrastructure to competitive investment environment, clean-energy systems, and emerging Arctic and northern supply corridors.

Throughout the region, governments are investing in transportation, energy and industrial infrastructure to better connect critical-mineral-rich areas to communities, trade routes and global markets, helping ensure Western and Northern Canada remain central to Canada’s long-term economic resilience and global competitiveness.

This co-ordinated approach reflects a shared commitment to turning regional advantage into national impact.

Three pillars to guide the strategy

The strategy is organized around three priority pillars that reflect the region’s critical-mineral value-chain strengths and growth opportunities, from enabling infrastructure to partnerships to development:

Reconciliation, jobs and communities

The strategy is designed to ensure meaningful participation and partnership with Indigenous people across all stages of the critical-minerals value chain. It aims to support Indigenous leadership, collaboration and economic inclusion so that Indigenous communities can fully share in the benefits and opportunities generated by the growth of the sector.

“This strategy backs Indigenous participation at every stage, from exploration to processing, and that's where the real economic opportunity is for First Nations,” said Mark Podlasly, CEO, First Nations Major Projects Coalition. “Many of the infrastructure corridors it’s built around run through the territories of our member Nations. We look forward to working with these governments to turn that commitment into Indigenous ownership and decision-making on the ground.”

The strategy is expected to drive investment across exploration, mining and processing, creating high-quality jobs and long-term economic opportunities for communities throughout Western and Northern Canada. It will strengthen regional supply chains and build new value-chain potential, including mineral processing capacity closer to resource development areas.

Brian Jean, Alberta Minister of Energy and Minerals –

“This meeting builds upon the collaborative nation-building work we started earlier this year with the signing of a memorandum of understanding to work toward developing an end-to-end critical-minerals supply chain in Western Canada. Alberta is home to potentially the third-largest lithium reserves in the world and many other critical minerals, including titanium and vanadium. We are also well-positioned to become a leading critical-mineral-refining jurisdiction in the Alberta industrial heartland near Fort Saskatchewan.”

Chris Beaudry, Saskatchewan Minister of Energy and Resources –

“Saskatchewan consistently ranks among the world’s leading jurisdictions for investment attraction, and ensuring reliable access to markets for our commodities is essential. Strengthening collaboration on interprovincial transportation and trade will deliver meaningful benefits, not only for Saskatchewan, but for Western Canada as a whole.”

Ted Laking, Yukon Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources –

“The Yukon is essential to Canada’s continued growth and security. This strategy reflects our commitment to continue working closely with our western and northern neighbours to support sustainable communities and a stronger economy. This work includes investing in and developing dependable energy so that the North can grow and Canada can step up and strengthen the security and sovereignty of our nation.”

Caitlin Cleveland, Northwest Territories Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment –

“This strategy reflects what we can achieve when we work together across Western and Northern Canada. The Northwest Territories has tremendous critical-mineral potential, and by aligning our efforts with our partners, we are strengthening our ability to attract investment, build infrastructure and create long-term opportunities for our communities. This work is about ensuring that development happens responsibly, in partnership with Indigenous governments, while delivering lasting economic benefits to residents of the North and all Canadians.”

Craig Simailak, Nunavut Minister Responsible for Mines –

“Nunavut is one of Canada’s most promising critical-mineral frontiers. Unlocking the immense copper, nickel and high-grade iron potential across the Kitikmeot, Kivalliq and Qikiqtani zones requires dedicated, nation-building corridors. Strategic gateways like the Gray’s Bay Port and Road project are not merely assets to the territory — they are essential Canadian corridors to global markets, built on a foundation of true economic reconciliation and durable, Indigenous-led partnerships.”