In our October 31, 2025, blog post, we discussed the $61.8 million investment in the Ring of Fire region. On June 25, 2026, Premier Doug Ford and Webequie First Nation Chief Lorraine Whitehead et al. announced the “start of construction on the Webequie Supply Road, a historic milestone in the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building the roads to the Ring of Fire, five years ahead of schedule.”
The announcement by Premier Ford continues the momentum across Canada to develop natural resources and to cut the red tape that has often delayed projects. Also see the October 2025 announcement, Ontario Implements “One Project, One Process” to Build Mines Faster.
Major Natural Resource Projects in Canada
In November 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney in Budget 2025 and nation-building projects stated: “At the core of this new strategy is new nation-building infrastructure: ports, mines, trade corridors, and other major projects that will unlock our vast natural resources and enable us to sell them to new markets across the country and around the world, while securing sovereign domestic supply chains.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney said: “At the core of this new strategy is new nation-building infrastructure: ports, mines, trade corridors, and other major projects that will unlock our vast natural resources and enable us to sell them to new markets across the country and around the world, while securing sovereign domestic supply chains.”
The list of Major Projects is significant.
Natural Resources: Major Projects Planned or Under Construction 2024 to 2034
- There are 340 energy projects in the 2024 inventory with a combined value of $510.0 billion.
- In the 2024 inventory, there are 138 mining projects with a combined value of $117.1 billion.
- The 2024 inventory includes 26 forest projects with a combined value of $5.5 billion.
- Of all 504 projects in the inventory, about 43% (215 projects) are classified as using clean technology, for a total of $194.2 billion in potential investment.
An article in Canada Action in March of this year highlighted several of the Natural Resource Development projects, including:
- Newfoundland and Labrador government reached a landmark agreement to advance Bay du Nord, Canada’s first-ever deepwater offshore oil development.
- In Saskatchewan, two uranium mines received regulatory approval, the first to be built in a generation.
- Nova Scotia is looking to kickstart the widespread development of its natural resources.
- In Nunavut, the Mary River Mine received all key regulatory authorizations to proceed with expansion earlier this year, including a significant increase in production from the current 4.2 million tonnes of iron ore to 22 million tonnes annually.
Improving Status on the World Stage
Federal and provincial governments are focused on boosting economic activity in the natural resources sector by creating a favourable business climate. In some cases, this seems to be paying dividends. From the Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies report in February (2026): “This year, we received responses from 256 participants evaluating 68 jurisdictions around the world. Two Canadian provinces, Ontario (2nd) and Saskatchewan (3rd), appear in the list of top ten most attractive jurisdictions for mining investment.”
Environmental Concerns with Natural Resource Development
Activities that involve the extraction and refining of natural resources are necessary to meet increased global demand for these resources, but these projects can carry environmental risk. While there have been tremendous improvements in environmental protection, especially compared with historical natural resource development practices, there is always room for improvement.
We have documented several environmental violations in the natural resource sector, including the ArcelorMittal Exploitation Minière Canada s.e.n.c. (AMEM) $100 million fine.
For additional information, see the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations and Responsible Mining.
Also see our Environmental Compliance Tips and Insights page.
Environmental Assistance
Dragun’s Senior Consulting Partner, Dr. Joel Gagnon, has experience in the mining and resource sectors. Furthermore, Dr. Gagnon specializes in analytical and applied aqueous geochemistry. If you need assistance with an environmental issue, contact Christopher Pare’, P.Geo., Q.P., at 519-948-7300, Ext 114.
Alan Hahn drafted this blog. Alan has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and completed a graduate program in Environmental Management. He has worked in environmental management for more than 45 years. He has written hundreds of blogs and articles. His published work includes HazMat Magazine, BizX Magazine, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, GreenStone Partners, Manure Manager Magazine, and Progressive Dairy.
Christopher Paré, P.Geo., reviewed this blog. Chris is a senior geoscientist and manager of Dragun’s Windsor, Ontario, office. Chris has more than 35 years of experience on projects ranging from environmental site assessments (Phase One/Two ESA), excess soils, remedial investigations, soil and groundwater remediation, Permits to Take Water, Records of Site Conditions, vapour intrusion, and site decommissioning. Chris is a frequent speaker, author, and expert witness. See Chris’ bio.
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