Ontario’s mining sector is one of the province’s most important economic drivers, contributing over 75,000 jobs and $11 billion in GDP. Toronto is the global hub for mining finance and expertise, home to nearly half of the world’s publicly listed mining companies. Mining activities continue to foster economies of scale and drive regional economic development, spurring job creation and growth across Northern Ontario.
As federal and provincial governments seek to catalyze development through Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy and the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, the sector stands at a generational inflection point. Ontario must ensure it has the workers, capital, energy infrastructure, and social licence from communities necessary to build producing mining assets and secure its position as a premier, reliable supplier of critical minerals for North America’s manufacturing base and defence markets.
Building from the recommendations outlined in the Mining 2030: Unearthing Ontario’s Potential report, the Mining Policy Council brings together business leaders, mining operators, and sector experts to advance discussion, analysis, and evidence-based advocacy in support of the OCC’s mission to enable inclusive, sustainable growth across the mining sector.
The council is co-chaired by Andre Leite, Vice-President, Ontario Operations, Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd, and Marla Tremblay, Executive Director, MineConnect, and consists of leading experts from mining operations, sector associations, Indigenous communities, legal and professional services, and our Chamber Network.
Recent Highlights:
- 2026 Ontario Budget Submission
- 2025 Federal Budget Submission
- Mining 2030: Unearthing Ontario’s Potential
2026 Policy & Advocacy Priorities:
- Build a resilient, regional workforce by addressing labour shortages and expanding talent pipelines in Northern and remote mining communities
- Improve energy competitiveness by leveraging and optimizing existing programs to provide rate predictability and relief for mining operators
- Secure Ontario’s critical minerals supply chain by resolving regulatory bottlenecks, modernizing permitting, and advancing advocacy as part of the CUSMA review
- Strengthen the mining procurement ecosystem by standardizing pathways for local and Indigenous-owned businesses and derisking the adoption of new technologies
- Advance recycling and circularity by streamlining regulations for secondary mineral extraction and building the trade corridors needed to support a world-class EV battery and e-waste recycling ecosystem
Members of the council include:
- Agnico Eagle
- Alamos Gold
- Canada Nickel Company
- Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
- Green Technology Metals
- IAMGOLD Corporation
- McCarthy Tétrault LLP
- MineConnect
- Ontario Mining Association
- PRA Communications
- PWC Canada
- Sussex Strategy Group
- Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce
- Timmins Chamber of Commerce
For more information on how to join the council, please contact Ali Nasser Virji, OCC Director of Policy.