Help, is on the way

March 19, 2025

Mining has never been so central in the debate respecting Canada’s economic and political sovereignty. As global demand for critical minerals surges to support everything from electric vehicle batteries to defense technologies — countries around the world are racing to secure, procure or produce these essential resources. And yet in spite of our mineral wealth, Canada’s role as provider to the world is in serious jeopardy.

Having attended the recent 2025 edition of the PDAC International Convention, it was clear to me that countries like Argentina, Saudi Arabia, China and others are prioritizing and expediting mineral exploration and production; while others simply watch investment dwindle or flee to friendlier climates.  In marketing, this is called the First Mover Advantage, and Canada has lost its position as the leading mining jurisdiction.

Advocates in the mining sector have made compelling arguments over the past two decades highlighting the need for improved conditions for mining. These included among others, expedited permitting, greater infrastructure investment, and optimized investment conditions in order to retain our leadership as the best miners in the world. And yet, this is not the position we’ve been left with.

While the federal government and provincial governments speak in voluminous and profound terms about the significance of the Canadian mineral industry, they have simply failed to create regulatory environments move projects forward.  They have politicized and over-bureaucratized mining by creating inexplicable delays in permitting of projects, whose absence they say, is now threatening Canada’s economic sovereignty. This is directly attributable to the polices, objectives and priorities of our governments.

Canada has lost its competitive instincts by ceding innovation and technological ground to China, India, and other competitors during a period of intensifying global competition. Canada has failed to properly invest in our industrial capabilities or built critical infrastructure. We have ignored opportunities to build semiconductor manufacturing facilities, and support critical supply chains. The Financial Post reported today that oil industry executives are advocating that “Canada should wield its “economic hard power” in oil and gas to protect its sovereignty; urging federal leaders to declare a Canadian energy crisis and to designate key projects in the “national interest”.

By comparison, (and not to diminish its significance in the Canadian economy), but governments have been quick to invest billions over the past few decades to save our auto sector. And yet the mining sector barely gets a fraction of the attention while actually employing more Canadians and delivering more economic benefit.  The value of Canada’s mineral production reached $72 billion and domestic exports of mineral and metal products reached $151 billion in 2023. This accounted for 21% of Canada’s total merchandise exports, dwarfing the Auto Sector. And yet, nothing but delays, obstacles and bureaucracy is the sector’s generous gift from government.

So afraid of our rich legacy as “hewers of wood and drawers of water” we have now managed to lose ground on multiple fronts.  The history we so desperately seek to evolve from, may in fact be the answer to resolving our current crisis, but the time for thoughtful contemplation must move to decisive action.

The reality that we face is that the federal and provincial governments, with their sluggish permitting processes, have put the nation’s wealth at risk by exposing vulnerabilities in both our economic structure and national security.  In 2022, Natural Resources Canada identified 124 mining projects in Canada’s inventory with a combined value of $88.3B.  Out of the 124 mining projects, roughly half were some form of critical minerals, worth $56B in potential investment.  And yet, the country is not permitting mines at a reasonable pace.

In British Columbia, the permitting processes have become an obstacle to progress creating excessive processes that drag on for years. Some projects take nearly a decade to secure permits, and even smaller exploration initiatives face delays of up to three years. Despite the BC government’s original goal of approving permits within 60 days, most projects now take an average of five months, with some taking much longer.  According to the advocacy group AMEBC, this has left more than $38 billion in economic opportunity on the line.  And while the BC government is now “fast-tracking” projects, the implications for miners and investors is clear.

These delays are not just an inconvenience — they represent a profound failure to act at a time when Canada’s mineral resources could be key to its economic and geopolitical future. Other countries like the U.S. and Australia have embraced efficient permitting processes and are rapidly developing their mining sectors, while Canada lags behind, missing out on critical opportunities.

The economic costs are staggering. Critical minerals are no longer just an industry sector — they are a cornerstone of national security and global economic power. From rare earth elements to lithium, nickel, and copper, these minerals are fundamental to everything from clean energy to defense technologies. Canada’s vast reserves of these resources could make us a dominant player in the global supply chain. However, our nation’s incessant bureaucracy now place us at a distinct global competitive disadvantage.

The consequence is not just lost investment, although that is substantial. It is missed economic growth, lost jobs, and the erosion of our national competitiveness. Canada’s resource-rich regions are suffering the most. Delayed projects mean fewer jobs, fewer opportunities, and fewer businesses benefiting from the mining boom. The longer we delay, the more we risk losing out to other nations eager to take advantage of the growing demand for critical minerals.

Canada’s failure to act swiftly on critical mineral development is a significant geopolitical risk. As the world moves toward a more decentralized supply chain, countries are scrambling to secure reliable, local sources of essential minerals. Canada, with its wealth of untapped resources, should be a leader in this effort. Instead, our sluggish permitting process is undermining our potential to be a key player.

Countries like the United States and Australia are already fast-tracking their mining operations, positioning themselves as leaders in the critical mineral supply chain. Meanwhile, Canada’s slow pace makes us vulnerable to geopolitical instability and competition from countries that are more agile.

The federal government, alongside provincial governments, must take responsibility for the current state of affairs. It’s clear that our regulatory system is broken, and the pace of development is unacceptable. Governments across Canada are to blame for the slow pace of resource development. Their failure to prioritize efficient permitting processes has stunted our growth and undermined our ability to meet global demand.

Canada cannot afford to wait any longer. It’s time to streamline permitting, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and cut through the regulatory delays that are suffocating our economy. This is not just a matter of economic growth; it’s about national security, global competitiveness, and the future of Canadian prosperity.

Canada has the resources, the exceptional workforce, and the deep expertise to be a global leader in critical minerals. But the current pace of development, driven by bureaucratic delays and ineffective government action, is putting that potential at risk. If we are to remain a key player in the global supply chain, Canada must act now to streamline permitting and secure its place as a reliable, competitive supplier of critical minerals. The time to act is now — not just for the sake of mineral exploration, but for Canada’s long-term economic security.