VANCOUVER – Western Canada’s provinces and territories have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that aims to unlock the country’s potential as a global leader in critical minerals by leveraging regional strengths and aligning infrastructure investments.

The MOU establishes a framework for co-operation toward a Western Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy to:

• promote Western Canada as a global hub for critical minerals innovation and sustainable development;
• prioritize regional critical mineral hubs; and
• identify the infrastructure planning and investment needed to maximize mineral extraction, processing and export capacity.

Participating provinces and territories have committed to advance reconciliation and create opportunities for Indigenous leadership partnership, participation or ownership, a release reads.

The final strategy is expected to be published in line with the 2026 Energy and Mining Ministers Conference in June.