Canada’s Energy and Mines Ministers Set Course to Accelerate Major Projects, Reach New Markets
Federal, provincial, and territorial energy and mining ministers met in Charlottetown from July 9 to 11, 2025, for the annual Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference (EMMC). The theme for the meeting was Securing the Future of Canada’s Energy and Mines Sectors, and was co-chaired by the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Gilles Arsenault, Prince Edward Island’s Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action. Overall, the ministers discussed various measures to accelerate major projects and open new trade and export markets.
Key Outcomes
Canada’s energy and mining sectors are positioned to become a global superpower.
Ministers emphasized the importance of diversifying markets for Canada’s energy and mineral products to strengthen economic resilience and reduce reliance on certain foreign markets and the U.S.
Ministers discussed Canada’s recent announcement of the G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance to develop secure critical minerals supply chains for Canada and its allies, and to prioritize strategic critical minerals projects that will add economic value and create value-added jobs across the country.
Ministers agreed that accelerating major energy, mining and infrastructure projects in a responsible and inclusive manner must be a priority. They discussed a wide range of provincial and territorial priority projects, including decarbonized oil and gas transport by pipelines, low emission electricity generation (including renewables, hydro, wind, and nuclear) and transmission, energy corridors, port infrastructure, and critical mineral projects. Advancing these projects will help reach new markets and strengthen domestic energy security, affordability, and reliability for all Canadians.
To get new energy infrastructure and mining projects built rapidly, ministers agreed on the importance of efficient regulatory processes, to create certainty and strengthen investor confidence. Ministers discussed ensuring affordability remains at the forefront of projects through measures such as federal investment tax credits. Discussions focused on next steps to establish predictable and timely regulatory processes to eliminate unnecessary overlaps to get to “one project, one review”. This collaboration will take place in a way that respects jurisdictional powers of both orders of government.
Ministers discussed the developments in Canada-U.S. trade negotiations and new market opportunities with key allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Ministers also had discussions around evolving threats and the importance of enhanced transparency and strengthened measures to protect Canada’s critical mineral potential and strategic infrastructure.
Ministers discussed climate change and the importance and growing opportunity of supplying global markets with lower carbon energy, mining products, and technologies.
Ministers had a dedicated session with Indigenous leaders to hear from and explore opportunities in the energy and mining context. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to fulfill the Crown’s duty to consult with Indigenous Peoples and discussed ways to strengthen Indigenous ownership and partnerships to provide communities with generational economic opportunities.
Ministers will work together to advance shared priorities, and position Canada’s energy and mining sectors as global leaders. Ministers will also work together to explore an initiative to enhance geoscience data and analytics in support of critical mineral exploration. Energy and Mines ministers will reconvene in Fall 2025 to review progress on priority projects. The 2026 EMMC will be co-hosted by the Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories in Yellowknife.
Quotes:
“Together, we are taking bold, coordinated action to accelerate the major projects that will make our economy stronger, prosperous, and more resilient. By making our regulatory processes more efficient while eliminating internal trade barriers, we are laying the foundation for stronger and more competitive resource sectors that partner with Indigenous Peoples, advance economic reconciliation, create good jobs and help Canada reach new global markets. Our mission is clear: become an energy and resource superpower.”
The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“We have unique circumstances on PEI, and we need to move forward on our climate goals. We are working to reduce our emissions, and we have identified electricity, energy storage, clean fuels and cleantech as priorities in Prince Edward Island. We can only move forward through collaboration with the Government of Canada, First Nations, other provinces, local communities, businesses and Islanders. We are looking forward to the evolution and implementation of major energy and infrastructure partnerships. By aligning resources and coordinating, we can turn Canada’s strengths and unique mix of natural resources to our advantage.”
The Honourable Gilles Arsenault, Prince Edward Island’s Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action
Media contacts:
Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations
343-292-6100
media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Carolyn Svonkin
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Canada
Carolyn.svonkin@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Katie Cudmore
Department of Environment, Energy, and Climate Action
katiecudmore@gov.pe.ca