Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy: Closing the Gap in Global Supply Chains

Canada Faces Urgent Critical Minerals Challenges

Canada holds world-class deposits of lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earths. These resources can shape the next industrial era. However, geology alone does not guarantee economic or strategic power. Processing and refining remain Canada’s weak spots, limiting its ability to compete with China, which controls roughly 60% of mining and 90% of processing in key sectors.

The Canadian government launched the Critical Minerals Strategy with nearly C$4 billion in funding. Coordinating 15 federal departments, it aims to create resilient value chains from mine to midstream to manufacturing. The G7’s Critical Minerals Production Alliance further mobilizes investment in graphite, rare earths, and scandium. Despite promising policies, Canada must accelerate execution to match global competitors’ pace.

Accelerating Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy

Canada’s regulatory and permitting timelines lag far behind the United States, where officials discuss single-month approvals for strategic projects. Ottawa’s leadership, including Minister Tim Hodgson and Clerk Michael Sabia, understands the stakes, but political and industrial velocity remains slow. Rapid permitting reform and industrial infrastructure expansion are critical to unlocking Arctic and northern mineral potential.

Infrastructure, including ports, rail, energy grids, and logistics, will determine Canada’s ability to assert sovereignty and supply security. Incremental efforts risk ceding advantage to rivals. Bold, coordinated action will ensure Canada not only participates but leads in global critical mineral markets.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

Canada possesses the raw resources and intellectual capital to compete globally. Yet, without faster permitting, stronger processing capacity, and aligned government-industry strategies, it risks trailing China and the U.S. Strategic investment in infrastructure, streamlined regulations, and market-ready projects will define whether Canada secures its critical minerals future. Time is a resource Canada cannot afford to waste.