Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Ontario has formally rolled out a $500 million initiative aimed at strengthening the province’s critical minerals processing sector, marking a major step toward building a fully domestic supply chain. The Critical Minerals Processing Fund was officially launched Friday at Science North in Greater Sudbury, following its introduction in the 2025 provincial budget.
Senior cabinet ministers joined Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre at the event, highlighting the strategic importance of keeping mineral processing and value-added manufacturing within Ontario rather than exporting raw materials for refinement elsewhere.
Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said the new fund signals a shift away from exporting unprocessed resources. He emphasized that Ontario intends to retain and process its responsibly sourced minerals domestically, creating skilled jobs and boosting long-term economic returns. Lecce also pointed to the need to bring investment back to Canada that has traditionally flowed to processing facilities in the United States and Europe.
Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli underscored Ontario’s growing importance in the North American resource landscape, noting the increasing demand from the U.S. for minerals such as nickel, aluminum, steel, potash and oil. He said northern Ontario, particularly the Sudbury region, plays a vital role in supplying materials that are in short supply south of the border.
Mayor Lefebvre said the fund is designed to ensure that minerals extracted in Ontario are refined and transformed locally. He stressed that retaining processing capacity in the province would help preserve jobs, support regional economies, and reinforce Ontario’s position in the global critical minerals market.
With the fund now officially in place, companies seeking to expand processing capabilities and strengthen Ontario-based supply chains can begin applying for financial support through Invest Ontario.
