Critical Minerals Innovation Fund gets boost from the province
Ontario's Minister of Mines George Pirie informed the mining and education sector that the Ford government is putting five million dollars towards the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund to increase research and development of new technologies.
"I know there’s a number of industries right now that will throw their hand up and say hey look we want to use this money to fund in partnership with the college, in partnership with Indigenous groups, in partnerships with already existing facilities to in fact make this happen," said Pirie.
This fund is expected to help build the supply chain for clean technologies, including electric vehicles.
“In lithium in particular, roughly eighty per cent of refined materials and chemicals come out of east Asia, in particular China so there’s really an opportunity with both governments and private industry to collaborate and work together to address that geopolitical concern," said Trevor Walker the CEO of Frontier Lithium.
Canada Nickel, which has its Crawford Project near Timmins, said this commitment has the potential to attract further investment.
“When investors see government is willing to put up risk capital to have mining activities advance,” said Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel.
“It’s a very clear signal to the car companies, to the battery companies that we’re talking about that Ontario is very serious about seeing more mining happen in Ontario."
Officials with Northern College officials told CTV News the announcement was 'win-win' for both industry and students.
“Students involved with these projects, they end up with about a year and a half’s worth of experience just from a three month project because it’s hands on, it’s practical, it’s applying real world understanding of what they’re learning and that speaks volumes," said Doctor Audrey Penner, president of Northern College.
Mining companies interested in receiving money from the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund need to act quickly as applications will be accepted until Dec. 18.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.