Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Stephen Lecce: Ontario — the world’s reliable partner

The clean energy future of the world hinges on the determination of governments to cut through the noise and build mines faster

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

This week, the world will converge in Toronto for the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention, the largest mining conference in the world. At a moment defined by geopolitical instability, fractured supply chains, and surging demand for critical minerals, Ontario is emerging as the world’s reliable partner.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

Just last year, we ranked 15th overall in attracting mining investments, with the second slowest permitting regime in the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). Today, Ontario is now the second most attractive jurisdiction in the world for mining investment. With demand for critical minerals expected to double by 2030, the critical minerals race is on. The world, including manufacturers, automakers, technology firms, and energy developers, is demanding access to reliable, safe, and ethical jurisdictions. They are searching for trusted partners — governments that are unapologetic in their reform agenda, challenging the status quo — and moving with unprecedented speed to open mines faster.

Stephen Lecce: Ontario — the world’s reliable partner Back to video

Premier Ford is delivering that certainty — in permitting, in partnerships, and in long-term economic vision.

This newsletter tackles hot topics with boldness, verve and wit. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)

There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Platformed will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

The race for critical minerals is a race for economic security. Ontario is rich in nickel, cobalt, lithium, graphite, and copper — the building blocks of electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy systems, and advanced electronics. Northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire region alone contains world-class chromite and nickel resources — an untapped potential of $22 billion in GDP.

For generations, it took too long to open a mine in Ontario. That is why Ontario made a deliberate choice to cut through the red tape. We implemented the ‘One Project, One Process’ framework, slashing government review time by 50 per cent, while upholding world-class environmental and labour standards. It is no longer acceptable to be a passive observer while Canadian resources and raw materials are shipped abroad for processing and fabrication. We firmly believe that the ripping and shipping of Canada’s vast resources must end. We’re doing that through our $500-million Critical Mineral Processing Fund to ensure critical minerals mined in Ontario are processed and refined in Ontario, by Ontario workers.

With energy demand in the region expected to increase by 81 per cent, we need to power the North. Unlike previous governments that reactively built infrastructure, our government is building for the future by initiating a large-scale build-out to electrify Northern Ontario. This includes building roads and authorizing major transmission lines like the Greenstone Line and Red Lake lines, connecting the Ring of Fire to Ontario’s grid, and the Barrie to Sudbury line, adding more power to the Sudbury basin. This is a coordinated, forward-looking expansion designed to ensure northern communities and industries have access to reliable, 24/7 clean power for generations to come.

Conrad Black: Canada's critical economic and strategic interest in exploiting the Ring of Fire

Randall Denley: The Ring of Fire won't bring the 'secure' economic future Ontario's government advertises

Advertisement 1Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Energy and mining policy are no longer separate conversations. They are deeply interconnected. This is part of a larger plan. Ontario is building an end-to-end critical minerals supply chain — from exploration and extraction to processing, refining, and advanced manufacturing. Every transmission line built. Every regulatory improvement implemented. Every Indigenous partnership strengthened. Each step brings us closer to anchoring a generational economic transformation, particularly in the North.

Ontario teacher emails every MP, imploring them to turn down the annual April 1 pay increase Canada

Ontario teacher emails every MP, imploring them to turn down the annual April 1 pay increase

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in major attack by U.S. and Israel World

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in major attack by U.S. and Israel

Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Mayhem after killing of cartel leader unlikely to end at Mexico's borders World

Mayhem after killing of cartel leader unlikely to end at Mexico's borders

Corey Miller: The writing is on the wall for Jews at McGill University NP Comment

Corey Miller: The writing is on the wall for Jews at McGill University

Westerners stranded in Mexico upset with WestJet's handling of cancelled flights back to Canada Canada

Westerners stranded in Mexico upset with WestJet's handling of cancelled flights back to Canada

The premier made a commitment to the people of Ontario that we will build roads and transmission into the ring of fire, and build the confidence of investors to move to advanced exploration in this mineral-rich region.

Gone are the days under the former government when they talked down to workers and spoke about mining as an industry of the past. The clean energy future of the world hinges on the determination of governments to cut through the noise and build mines faster. This is Ontario’s plan to seize the moment. To unlock investment. To create jobs. To build a Canada strong and free.

We will not apologize for championing the most ethical resources on Earth with the highest labour standards.

Everyone needs to hear this: We are the gold standard. Ontario is open for business as a Tier One mining jurisdiction that’s enacting a plan to build faster.

And our government is fiercely proud of Ontario’s mining sector, processing and downstream manufacturing that is the envy of the world. With the Chinese stranglehold of critical minerals and rare earths, it is in Canada and the Western world’s economic and security interests to unleash resources from reliable allies like Ontario.

Stephen Lecce is Ontario’s minister of Energy and Mines.

Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Canadian concert tours: Hottest tickets in 2026 Bruno Mars, Chris Stapleton and Andrea Bocelli are on sale now 1 day ago Music

Canadian concert tours: Hottest tickets in 2026

Bruno Mars, Chris Stapleton and Andrea Bocelli are on sale now

Best standup comedy shows in Canada near you this week Jo Koy, Hannah Berner and Jimmy Carr are on sale now 1 day ago Entertainment

Best standup comedy shows in Canada near you this week

Jo Koy, Hannah Berner and Jimmy Carr are on sale now

Vancouver designer takes lead at Canadian company Moose Knuckles Raif Adelberg's latest career step sees him taking on the role of design director at the Montreal-headquartered brand Moose Knuckles 1 day ago Fashion & Beauty

Vancouver designer takes lead at Canadian company Moose Knuckles

Raif Adelberg's latest career step sees him taking on the role of design director at the Montreal-headquartered brand Moose Knuckles

Advertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Pixel Watch 4 Review: Google goes all-in on AI integration The watch delivers major upgrades to screen brightness and battery life but some clunkiness remains 1 day ago Tech

Pixel Watch 4 Review: Google goes all-in on AI integration

The watch delivers major upgrades to screen brightness and battery life but some clunkiness remains

Thoughtful housewarming gift ideas under $100 for everyone on your list Level up that bottle of wine with a unique gift 1 day ago Gift Guide

Thoughtful housewarming gift ideas under $100 for everyone on your list

Level up that bottle of wine with a unique gift

© National Post