Q: Are there any other…

Q: Are there any other elements that need to be considered in the objectives?

A: Additional elements based on the Critical Mineral discussion paper draft objectives:

O3: Advancing Ontario’s potential to become the supplier of choice for critical minerals on the international stage.

Mineral commodities are part of a dynamic global supply chain, which creates opportunities for Ontario to supply responsibly produced minerals to the global marketplace.

• Stay closely connected with the international context and the goal of becoming a global leader.

O4: Increasing local supply chain opportunities.

Ontario can further diversify its manufacturing base by supporting broader provincial economic initiatives aimed at accelerating the production and adoption of various technologies that use critical minerals.

• Within Ontario build vertically integrated supply chains.

O5: Accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy

Critical minerals are used in the production of low-carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy applications. Ontario can play a leading role in supplying these industries and supporting the low-carbon transition.

• Address climate change and the transition to a low carbon economy from a position of building strength and opportunities.

In addition to these objectives, we recommend two additional objectives:

Recommended Objective: Prioritize investments through supporting the development of public all season highway infrastructure to connect our northern Indigenous communities to the Ontario Road network and the Ontario economy.

To have the opportunity to fully participate in the Ontario economy the Northern Indigenous communities require basic public infrastructure that all other people take for granted. This infrastructure will reduce the cost of living for residents and reduce the costs of supporting the communities for government. This infrastructure will also build a framework that industry can work from, in partnership with the Indigenous peoples, to access resources.

Recommended Objective: Enhance supports to technological research and development.
Much of the critical mineral’s industry is being driven by technological change as globally we move to a lower carbon-based economy. To be an international leader, Ontario must build a technology advantage in research and development.