Doug Ford Pushes for Faster Critical Minerals Approvals at PDAC Conference
TORONTO – Ontario Premier Doug Ford is emphasizing the need to accelerate the extraction of the province’s critical minerals, highlighting plans to speed up approvals and build necessary infrastructure. Speaking at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference on Monday, Ford outlined his government’s commitment to ensuring Ontario remains a leader in the global supply chain for critical minerals.
“Ontario has the critical minerals the world needs, but we have to do more to get them out of the ground,” Ford stated on social media following the conference. His government is focusing on streamlining approval processes and enhancing infrastructure to support the mining industry.
Ontario has the critical minerals the world needs, but we have to do more to get them out of the ground.
At today’s @the_PDAC conference, I talked about our plan to speed up approvals, build infrastructure and get our critical minerals to market so we can protect Ontario’s… pic.twitter.com/raxQh0yWAo
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) March 3, 2025
The province’s critical minerals, including nickel, cobalt, and lithium, are essential for industries such as electric vehicle production, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. With global demand rising, Ford is pushing for policies that will expedite resource development while ensuring economic benefits for Ontario’s workers and businesses.
Ontario’s strategy aligns with the federal government’s push for increased domestic production of critical minerals, reducing reliance on international sources. The province has been working to attract investments in the mining sector, particularly in Northern Ontario, where much of these resources are located.
The PDAC conference, one of the world’s largest mining conventions, brings together industry leaders, government officials, and stakeholders to discuss the future of mineral exploration and development. Ford’s comments underscore the provincial government’s commitment to making Ontario a key player in the global critical minerals market.
The Ford government has previously announced funding initiatives to support mining projects and infrastructure improvements, aiming to create jobs and strengthen Ontario’s economy. As discussions continue, industry players will be watching closely for further details on the province’s plans to expedite approvals and expand access to critical minerals.
