Federal government announces up to $40M for critical minerals development in Yukon

WHITEHORSE — On Sep. 20, Dr. Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for the Yukon, on behalf of Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, highlighted an important announcement of up to $40 million in funding, pending final due diligence from Natural Resources Canada, for critical minerals infrastructure developments in the Yukon. This funding would be provided through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF).

The Government of Yukon is seeking to undertake pre-feasibility activities to advance a 765-kilometre, high-voltage transmission line network that would connect the Yukon electrical grid to the North American grid in B.C. This regional project has proposed energy infrastructure located in two priority regions for critical minerals development — Yukon’s Cassiar and Tanana regions, and B.C.’s Golden Triangle. The transmission line could support projects producing critical minerals such as cobalt, copper, molybdenum, nickel, platinum group metals, tungsten and zinc in the Yukon and northern B.C.

The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund is a key program under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy to address infrastructure gaps and enable sustainable critical minerals production and connect resources to markets through various clean energy, electrification and transportation infrastructure projects. Future funding decisions for projects under the CMIF to further critical minerals infrastructure development are also expected in the coming months.

This project is the result of close collaboration under the Yukon Regional Energy and Resource Tables and is key to facilitating critical minerals development in the Yukon.

“I am pleased to highlight that the Yukon is home to the third conditionally approved project under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy’s flagship program, the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund. Developing the necessary infrastructure to access and transport our rich critical mineral resources is a key element in our ability to seize the generational opportunity before us. Connecting the Yukon’s grid to northern BC will provide increased opportunities for the Yukon’s future,” said Dr. Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for the Yukon

“The Grid Connect Project is more than an energy initiative: it presents a transformative opportunity for all Yukoners. By delivering clean, affordable and reliable clean energy, this project will not only power our homes but also drive economic and social growth. I thank our partners in British Columbia and the federal government for their collaboration on this important project, which will positively impact our northern communities. This is a proud milestone for our government on the path toward a more sustainable energy future,” said Ranj Pillai, Premier of the Yukon.