Premier Tim Houston is heading to Toronto on Sunday to participate in the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference, where his primary focus will be on exploring critical mineral opportunities for Nova Scotia. This conference is seen as an essential platform for discussing advancements in the mining sector, particularly in the context of Nova Scotia's growing interest in critical minerals.
Since 2022, Canada has been significantly increasing its mining and refining activities focused on critical minerals. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering the domestic economy while reducing reliance on major economic players like China. The Government of Canada has reported that investment in critical mineral exploration has climbed by four percent year-over-year, reaching an impressive $2.1 billion in 2024.
The Canadian federal budget, released in November 2025, outlines a plan for a $2 billion "critical minerals sovereign fund" to be executed over five years. This fund aims to facilitate equity investments, loan guarantees, and offtake agreements. Such financial support is crucial for advancing nearly 140 mining projects that are planned or proposed across the country, which collectively represent a potential economic value of $117.1 billion. Notably, approximately half of these projects are expected to extract critical minerals, amounting to $72.4 billion in potential investments.
Despite not receiving much attention during the 2024 Nova Scotia provincial election campaign, the topic of exploration and mining has rapidly escalated in importance since Houston secured his second mandate. His government has already taken significant steps, lifting a moratorium on fracking and a ban on uranium mining, while also initiating calls for offshore oil and gas exploration bids.
In a recent development, the Goldboro gold mine, located in Guysborough County, received industrial approval and a Crown land lease, which is expected to generate over 700 jobs according to the province. This project highlights the contribution of mineral exploration to Nova Scotia's economy, which brings between $35 to $50 million to local communities annually.
“Critical minerals are something the world needs—for clean energy, food production, defence, healthcare, and much more,” Premier Houston stated in a press release. He expressed enthusiasm about the international mining conference, emphasizing its role in connecting developers and investors directly with key decision-makers in Nova Scotia to explore further opportunities for collaboration.
Houston is also expected to make separate announcements alongside federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson and Ontario Premier Doug Ford during this event. Additionally, he is scheduled to meet with Tjorven Bellmann, the German Ambassador to Canada, to discuss prospects for economic cooperation.
Overall, Houston's agenda underscores Nova Scotia's commitment to becoming a reliable, ethical, and sustainable source of critical minerals to meet global demands. His participation in the Toronto conference marks a significant step toward positioning the province as a key player in the critical minerals sector.
