Ontario Unleashing the Economic Potential of Critical Mineral

July 3, 2025

• Ontario is investing up to $10 million and launching the sixth intake of the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP) to support early-stage mineral exploration — helping more workers, prospectors, and Indigenous communities take part in Ontario’s mining success story.
• To support the government’s plan to protect Ontario, this investment will help junior mining companies and licensed prospectors cover early exploration and development costs — building the mines of tomorrow and securing Ontario’s position as a critical minerals powerhouse.
• These projects have the potential to become future mining operations that will ­boost Ontario’s economic growth and resilience, create jobs and build secure supply chains amid increasing global demand and economic uncertainty from U.S. tariffs.
• As jurisdictions around the world seek stable, responsible sources of the critical minerals needed for electric vehicles, clean energy and advanced manufacturing, Ontario is introducing two features in this intake that will help accelerate critical mineral projects:
  • a new Prospector Stream offering up to $65,000 per project, and
  • increased Indigenous Participation Support from $10,000 to $15,000 per project  
• Unlike the opposition, who oppose mining development and stall progress with endless red tape, we’re putting Ontario’s workers, economy, and global competitiveness first — and building a cleaner, stronger future for all.