Environmental assessment, extractivism and the rise of critical minerals in Canada

Critical Minerals Seminar Series
March 20, 2025 1:00 PM
WEBINAR (Online Only)
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Governments and the mining sector in Canada view the global demand for critical minerals as a “generational opportunity,” positioning Canada as a leader in sustainable mining that respects Indigenous rights. These same governments are also fast-tracking project approvals and streamlining environmental assessments (EA) in response to industry demands. Drawing on the case of a recently approved, Indigenous-opposed critical mineral mine in Kaska Dena territory, Yukon, and broader research on EA in Nunavut and British Columbia, this seminar explores how EAs rationalize harms to endangered species, overstate economic benefits, and sidestep Indigenous opposition. The panel considers how the global rush for critical minerals is reshaping an already strained regulatory system and what opportunities may exist for intervention given the current conjuncture. 

Speakers

Emilie Cameron
Associate Professor Department of Geography & Environmental Studies
Carleton University
Rosemary Collard
Associate Professor Department of Geography
Simon Fraser University
Jessica Dempsey
Professor Department of Geography
University of British Columbia
Gabrielle A Slowey
Associate Professor Department of Politics
York University