Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 17 MARCH 2023

PDAC 2023 – Optimism Amid Uncertainty And Change

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Explore more from Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

This year's Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada's convention represented a return to pre-pandemic times. The convention reverted to its usual time in March, with a light blast of winter

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Alan Hutchison
Alan Hutchison
James Brown
James Brown
Author LinkedIn connections

This year's Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada's convention represented a return to pre-pandemic times. The convention reverted to its usual time in March, with a light blast of winter (by Toronto standards) that tends to accompany PDAC. Fortunately the weather seemed only to impact travel getting to Toronto rather than the event itself, but it did reinvigorate the "June versus March" PDAC debate. The conference floor seemed to be more vibrant than in recent years, with PDAC announcing nearly 24,000 delegates, exceeding 2020 convention attendance; cocktail receptions were overflowing and an overall sense of optimism within the mining sector was palpable. We are pleased to provide our thoughts on this year's convention.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Powering Up: Grid Access, Strategic Screening And Canada’s Emerging Data Centre Regimes

Canada is rapidly becoming a key destination for data centre investment, fueled by artificial intelligence and cloud computing growth. However, this expansion places unprecedented demands on electricity grids, water resources, and local communities. As federal and provincial governments introduce new frameworks to manage these resource challenges, developers and investors must navigate an increasingly complex landscape where power strategy...
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
McMillan LLP
McMillan LLP
Article

Data Centre West 2026: Alberta's Digital Infrastructure Moment Has Arrived

Alberta's data centre sector has evolved from speculative interest into billions in committed investment, supported by a new regulatory framework and hyperscale commitments from Meta and AWS. However, grid capacity constraints, power procurement challenges, unresolved federal copyright issues affecting AI training workloads, and community concerns about environmental impacts present significant obstacles that require continued collaboration between industry, government, and regulators.
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Bennett Jones LLP
Bennett Jones LLP
Article

Government Of Canada Makes Significant Changes To Energy Project Approvals Process

On September 3, the Government of Canada published amendments removing seven types of energy projects from the Physical Activities Regulations (the Project List) under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). As a result, these types of projects will no longer be subject to the IAA but will continue to be regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator Act (CER Act) or applicable provincial environmental assessment regimes.
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Torys
Torys
Article

Digging Deeper: Canadian Mining Sector Tax Update

Canada’s mining sector is at an important inflection point. Against a backdrop of growing global demand for critical minerals and increased competition for investment capital, the Canadian federal government has recently introduced a series of tax measures designed to encourage investment and strengthen the competitiveness of Canada’s mining industry. For investors, these measures may meaningfully influence the after-tax economics of projects and financing structures across the mining value chain.
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Article

Government Of Canada Reduces The Scope Of The Project List Under The Impact Assessment Act

The Government of Canada has amended the Physical Activities Regulations, removing certain intraprovincial energy projects and facilities regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator from the federal Impact Assessment Act's Project List. This regulatory change eliminates automatic federal oversight for fossil fuel-fired power plants and specific oil sands facilities, while transferring assessment responsibilities for interprovincial pipelines and transmission lines to the Canada Energy Regulator, potentially re
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Bennett Jones LLP
Bennett Jones LLP
Article

New Churchill Falls Agreement: Key Terms For Newfoundland And Labrador, Québec And Canadian Power Markets

Newfoundland and Labrador's House of Assembly has approved a landmark definitive cooperation and implementation agreement that would replace the 1969 Churchill Falls Power Contract, pair the redevelopment of Churchill Falls with the Gull Island project, and establish new transmission pathways through Québec. The agreement faces political uncertainty in Québec ahead of the October 2026 provincial election...
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Article

AI Data Centres In Canada: Legal And Regulatory Considerations For Developers And Investors Looking To Build

Developing AI data centres in Canada requires navigating complex corporate structuring, financing arrangements, regulatory approvals, energy supply agreements, real estate considerations, environmental permitting, and stakeholder engagement across multiple jurisdictions. This comprehensive guide examines the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the physical infrastructure side of data centre development, from site selection and power procurement to Indigenous consultation and municipal approvals.
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
MLT Aikins LLP
MLT Aikins LLP
Article

The Trade War Tit-for-tat Continues: United States Responds To Canada’s Retaliatory Surtaxes With New Tariffs And Import Prohibitions

Canada and the United States have escalated their trade war with new retaliatory tariffs and import prohibitions taking effect in September 2026. What specific goods are now subject to these measures, and how do the complex layers of tariffs interact to impact cross-border commerce? This comprehensive analysis breaks down the latest developments in the deteriorating Canada-U.S. economic relationship.
CanadaInternational Law
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Article

Elbows Back Up: U.S. Section 338 Tariffs, Canada’s Retaliatory Surtaxes And The Current Tariff Landscape

As Canada and the United States escalate their trade dispute with new retaliatory tariffs, businesses face mounting compliance challenges across multiple sectors. This analysis examines the comprehensive tariff landscape affecting bilateral trade, including Canada's September 8, 2026 surtaxes on U.S. imports and the corresponding American section 338 tariffs, detailing rates, exemptions, and the legal frameworks governing these measures.
CanadaInternational Law
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Article

Canadian Prime Minister Announces ‘Productivity Mega Deduction’

Canada's new Productivity Mega Deduction permanently provides immediate expensing for a wide range of depreciable property and Canadian development expenses, dramatically expanding the scope beyond the previously announced Productivity Super Deduction. The measure aims to reduce Canada's marginal effective tax rate on new business investment to 6.4%, positioning it as the lowest among major economies and less than half the U.S. rate.
CanadaTax
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Article

OSC Releases Crypto Asset Survey Results

The Ontario Securities Commission's 2026 survey reveals significant shifts in Canadian cryptocurrency adoption, awareness, and sentiment. With ownership rates more than doubling since 2023 and a growing belief that crypto will play a key role in Canada's financial system, the findings paint a picture of an evolving landscape where traditional financial advisors increasingly recommend crypto investments, yet regulatory awareness remains surprisingly low among the general population.
CanadaFinance and Banking
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP