Canada’s Arctic Moment: Realizing Critical Mineral Development In Canada’s North

Canada has renewed its nation‑building ambitions in the North. Through the Building Canada Act, the creation of the Major Projects Office, and recent federal announcements highlighting the national importance of energy, infrastructure, and critical mineral development, the Arctic has moved to the centre of Canada’s strategic agenda.

 
At the same time, the country’s first Defence Industrial Strategy underscores the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic and the need to strengthen northern defence capabilities through dual‑use infrastructure and partnerships with Indigenous and northern communities. Together, these initiatives create a generational opportunity to advance critical mineral development in Canada’s North, a region rich in iron ore, gold, rare earths, and other critical minerals¹. We discuss the region’s infrastructure constraints, available federal investment tools, international partnerships, and policy considerations needed to unlock project viability.