Speaking recently with Lexpert, Jacques Shore, advocacy and government affairs partner at Gowling WLG, and Ian Mitchell, head of mining at Gowling WLG, discussed Canada’s critical minerals strategy and the legal, regulatory, and diplomatic considerations shaping it. The article explores how global supply chain disruptions, shifting trade alliances, and regulatory frameworks are influencing Canada’s opportunity to establish itself as a reliable player in the critical minerals space.
Shore emphasized the importance of diversifying partnerships, noting, “Reliance on one country such as China for such critical minerals is not the best route for us.” For Shore, the legal and trade dimensions of Canada’s position are inseparable from questions of security and diplomacy. With a network of free trade agreements, including with Chile, Canada is well placed to strengthen alliances just as the U.S. recalibrates its supply chains.
Mitchell echoed the urgency of striking the right balance between efficiency and integrity in Canada’s regulatory landscape: “The challenge is to streamline without undermining the very regulatory credibility that makes Canada attractive.” Mitchell also added that in end users are willing to wait for credible, transparent processes if it means confidence in the integrity of the outcome. That credibility is what makes Canadian supply chains attractive, “and legal practitioners play a key role in ensuring agreements, permits, and environmental compliance meet both investor and community expectations.”
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