The Manitoba government today announced a significant push to expand its critical minerals sector, unveiling a new Critical Mineral Office, establishing a mining advisory council, and forging partnerships to support Indigenous workforce development and training. The initiatives were announced by Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses and Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures Minister Ian Bushie.
Minister Moses emphasized the province’s strategic advantage, stating, “Manitoba has the critical minerals the world needs, and that’s why we are focused on growing the sector to create good jobs. It’s never been more important to diversify our province’s economy and create new trade relationships, and the new Critical Mineral Office and mining advisory council will help us do that.”
The newly established Critical Mineral Office will serve as a central point of contact for the mining industry, aiming to attract global investment and provide tailored support to mining businesses. According to Minister Moses, the office will focus on streamlining processes and accelerating project development while upholding Manitoba’s stringent environmental and labour standards.
Complementing this effort, the government has formed a multi-stakeholder mining advisory council. This council will include representatives from government, Indigenous organizations, environmental groups, academia, municipalities, and labour. Its primary objective will be to provide guidance and inform the province’s approach to critical minerals, with a strong emphasis on advancing Indigenous inclusion and fostering partnerships within the mineral sector.
Minister Bushie underscored the government’s commitment to meaningful Indigenous engagement, stating, “We’re making sure Indigenous nations are properly consulted and involved in decision making, and that they see the economic benefits of critical mineral projects. By bringing in Indigenous-led environmental monitoring and stewardship and working with communities, we can create good local jobs and strengthen our economy for everyone – the right way.”
In a concrete step towards this commitment, the province, in partnership with Prairies Economic Development Canada and the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund, is investing $1 million to support workforce development and training within Indigenous communities. The funding will be directed to Marcel Colomb First Nation, Sagkeeng First Nation, Norway House Cree Nation, and Kiciwapa Cree Nation.
Manitoba possesses a significant wealth of critical minerals, boasting 30 of the 34 minerals identified by the federal government as crucial for the green energy transition and sustainable economic growth. Notably, the province is rich in all six minerals recognized as having the greatest potential to fuel domestic supply and manufacturing: lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and rare earth elements.
These initiatives signal a concerted effort by the Manitoba government to capitalize on its mineral resources, drive economic diversification, and foster meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities in the burgeoning critical minerals sector.
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