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The Ontario government says they’re creating a $500 million Critical Minerals Processing Fund to expand made-in-Ontario production and secure jobs in key sectors like electric vehicles and clean energy.
Unveiled as part of the 2025 Budget, the fund is aimed at boosting Ontario’s critical minerals supply chain-ensuring that resources mined in Ontario are also processed in the province, instead of being exported for refining elsewhere.
“Our plan to protect Ontario includes building a strong, self-reliant economy,” said Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy. “We’re investing to unlock and process these resources right here in Ontario, securing good-paying jobs and building resilient communities.”
The fund will support upgrades to existing processing plants and help build new ones, particularly to handle materials like nickel, graphite, copper and lithium. These are essential to the growing demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and high-tech products.
Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli said the investment will keep Ontario workers in high-value jobs and strengthen the province’s critical minerals supply chain for the long term.
The government says the move also helps position Ontario as a reliable trading partner in a volatile global economy.
Ontario is also investing $3.1 billion to support Indigenous participation in the critical minerals sector through loans, grants and ownership initiatives.
The new fund complements broader legislative efforts to streamline resource development in the province, including in the Ring of Fire.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
