As a the parliamentary study she initiated moves to prepare its final report, Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe says in a time of global uncertainty reliable mineral supply chains are more important than ever, and Sudbury is at the forefront of this ‘opportunity’
Critical minerals are key to Canada’s national security goals, Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe said in a March 23 news release.
The release was issued to mark the conclusion of a parliamentary study initiated by the local Liberal MP to probe the connection between the “critical minerals sector, national defence and economic security,” a release from Lapointe’s office states.
The study was conducted by the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence, and tapped “a high calibre of witnesses from across government, the mining industry, academia, and the security community.” Those witnesses told the government the global environment is “shifting”, and modern defence systems and technologies need reliable supply chains for the minerals that power those systems.
“Critical minerals are no longer just part of our economy, they are central to our national security,” said Lapointe in the release. “From aerospace to advanced communications systems, the materials we mine here in Canada are essential to the defence capabilities of our country and our allies.”
Geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, growing global competition — each is impacting resource development here and abroad. The study explored how Canada can “build more capacity at home, strengthen partnerships with trusted allies and ensure long-term resilience in key sectors.”
And for Sudbury and Northern Ontario, Lapointe said the implications are significant.
“As one of Canada’s leading mining hubs, Sudbury is at the forefront of this opportunity,” Lapointe said. “We have the expertise, the workforce, and the resources to play a central role in strengthening Canada’s defence supply chains while creating good-paying jobs here at home.”
Broader priorities like economic growth, energy security and Arctic sovereignty are also baked into the report, she said.
“This is about making sure Canada is ready for what’s ahead,” said Lapointe. “By building on our strengths and working closely with partners, we can position our country, and communities like Sudbury, as a trusted and reliable part of global supply chains.”
A final report from the committee is expected in the coming months.