Ontario PC Party Leader Doug Ford and MPP Stephen Lecce announced that Ontario is investing up to $10 million through the newly enhanced Ontario Junior Exploration Program to support mining, exploration and job creation across Northern Ontario.
The investment includes a new Advanced Exploration Stream to help prospectors and junior mining companies discover the mines of the future and strengthen Ontario’s critical minerals supply chain.
At a time of global economic uncertainty and growing competition for critical minerals, Ontario is taking decisive action to strengthen economic self-reliance, secure resilient made-in-Ontario supply chains and create new opportunities for workers and communities across the North.
The program will help cover up to 50 per cent of eligible exploration and development costs, helping companies offset high upfront exploration costs, accelerate responsible resource development and unlock new economic opportunities in Northern Ontario.
Ontario currently leads Canada in mineral exploration spending. Since its launch, OJEP has committed nearly $45 million to support 280 companies, including 201 companies exploring for critical minerals, helping leverage approximately $80 million in additional industry investment.
Under the leadership of Doug Ford, Ontario is attracting investment, accelerating responsible resource development and creating good-paying jobs while positioning the province as the mining and critical minerals capital of the G7.