Natural resource development

WCS Canada comments on Critical Minerals Strategy to Natural Resources Canada - September 2022

Ray, J., Chetkiewicz, C., Cooke, H., Farrell, C., Harris, L., Kortsalo, P., Kraus, D., Lescord, G., Mantyka-Pringle, C., O'Connor, C., Oke, T., Raudsepp-Hearne, C., Reid, D., Scrafford, M. & Southee, M.

Access

---

Abstract

A Critical Minerals (CM) strategy is one important step and welcomed, given the need for Canada to strengthen supply chains to support the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources to address climate commitments. In its present form, however, the draft strategy and accompanying discussion questions are oriented around a relatively narrow and short-term economic growth perspective, rather than one that emphasizes sustainability in the full sense of the word, i.e., including ecological and social dimensions. It also fails to adequately consider the impact on Indigenous communities and the need to respect and support Indigenous sovereignty in impacted regions. Describing critical minerals as a 'generational opportunity', the strategy does not adequately cover impacts on current and future generations if the extraction of critical minerals does not deliberately consider social, environmental, and long-term economic costs.

Recommended citation

Ray, J., Chetkiewicz, C., Cooke, H., Farrell, C., Harris, L., Kortsalo, P., Kraus, D., Lescord, G., Mantyka-Pringle, C., O'Connor, C., Oke, T., Raudsepp-Hearne, C., Reid, D., Scrafford, M. & Southee, M. (2022). WCS Canada comments on Critical Minerals Strategy to Natural Resources Canada - September 2022. Wildlife Conservation Society Canada [WCS Canada]. https://wcscanada.org/resources/critical-minerals-strategy-natural-resources-canada/