We’re proud of our efforts to build consensus around a number of resource projects across northern Ontario. Take, for example, the Côté Gold project, where Mattagami and Flying Post First Nations play a substantial role in the development of that area, including very much the mine itself. In Greenstone, we see an extraordinary opportunity with the Kenogamisis development corporation, comprised of four Indigenous communities that have come to us and asked to play a vital role in the development of Greenstone and the surrounding area and the mining project. Similarly, the corridor to prosperity is an opportunity for all Indigenous communities in that area to unleash new health and social and economic benefits, to bring in better forms of energy, stronger broadband, better critical infrastructure.

This is a massive northern development opportunity. We’ll build consensus with those communities, and we’ll look forward to an opportunity to build the critical mineral mine of a world-class scale.

As somebody who has lived in a couple of those communities and worked closely with the leadership of some of those communities over the years—there is growing consensus that we can do these projects, that we can strike a fair balance, that we can build consensus and meet the demands of the single biggest environmental policy ever advanced by a subsovereign government, and that is to bring critical minerals from that region and other parts of northern Ontario into a fully integrated supply chain for electric vehicles and battery capacity. I’ve heard it from Indigenous communities. I’ve heard it from Indigenous businesses. The Minister of Mines has been working very hard to ensure that we do this the right way, and we’re going to get it done.

Thank you for the question from the member opposite.

This is a bill about building mines. It’s about bringing prosperity to northern Ontario. It’s a bill about securing the supply chain for critical minerals so that, in fact, the critical minerals that are produced in northern Ontario will be matched with the mining might in southern Ontario. These minerals, right now, are being secured in Russia and China and Congo, and we need those minerals secured in Ontario, out of northern Ontario. There is no compromise with the Indigenous duty to consult. There is no compromise with Ontario’s environmental standards. This is a world-class bill that will benefit every single citizen in Ontario.

My question is for the Minister of Mines.

In my riding of Thunder Bay–Atikokan, mining represents a vital and vibrant part of our economy and our future. I am proud of the fact that there are approximately 850 Thunder Bay residents working at mines and hundreds more employed by service and supply companies that support this critical industry.

I had the opportunity this past week to meet with many in the industry at the PDAC conference, and it was great to see such a large representation from Thunder Bay and region present.

Our government must realize the potential for continued growth in this sector in order to strengthen the supply chain for electric vehicle production and technologies of the future. Securing this supply chain will benefit not only my riding of Thunder Bay–Atikokan, but its effects will support people all over the north and our entire province.

Can the minister please describe the current status and outlook for the mining industry in Ontario?

Thank you for the question from my colleague.

This week, I attended the PDAC conference in Toronto. It’s the world’s largest mining conference. It attracts investors. It attracts mining companies. It attracts the manufacturing sector. It attracts service companies, including 100% Indigenous-owned companies like Black Diamond Drilling from Wahgoshig First Nation. They’re all there. We had an incredible presence from Team Ontario touring all around that conference. The conference is abuzz with what’s happening, with what this government is doing to ensure that it’s creating the conditions to come up with innovations, with innovative solutions for challenges that the industry is currently having.

Ontario, under this Premier, is getting it done so that the mining industry can do what they do best: build the critical minerals mines of the future to secure the supply chain for the EV revolution.

Thank you to the minister for the response.

It is good news that our government’s presence is recognized and well-received by mining industry leaders. In the past, the importance of the north was all but ignored, with a failure to invest in northern Ontario’s mineral exploration and development sector. Our government recognizes the importance of the north and must continue being proactive and forward-looking, knowing that the future is optimistic for the mining industry.

Can the minister please explain how our government is implementing strategic initiatives to strengthen the mining sector?