Manitoba launches critical mineral office and indigenous training initiative
The Manitoba government has opened a new Critical Mineral Office, established a mining advisory council, and announced funding for mining-related training in several Indigenous communities. The measures were announced Thursday by Jamie Moses, Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation, and Ian Bushie, Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures.The Critical Mineral Office will act as a single point of contact for companies involved in mining development. According to the government, its purpose is to streamline regulatory and administrative processes and support investment in the sector, while continuing to apply provincial environmental and labour standards.The province also launched a mining advisory council, which will include members from government, Indigenous organizations, environmental groups, municipalities, academic institutions, and labour. The council is expected to provide input on policy decisions related to critical minerals and promote Indigenous involvement in the sector.Manitoba is also committing $1 million, in partnership with Prairies Economic Development Canada and the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund, to support workforce training in four Indigenous communities: Marcel Colomb First Nation, Sagkeeng First Nation, Norway House Cree Nation, and Kiciwapa Cree Nation.[More]
