Following final due diligence, the Canadian government has awarded $40 million from Natural Resources Canada to promote infrastructure development in Yukon. The money is intended to promote the development of critical minerals.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced the funds to Member of Parliament Brendan Hanley on Friday to connect Canada’s two westernmost territories, helping to link Yukon to the North American power grid.
The Yukon government plans to conduct pre-feasibility work to advance a 765 kilometre-long, high-voltage transmission line network that would connect British Columbia to the North American electricity grid. The regional project proposes energy infrastructure for mineral development in British Columbia’s Golden Triangle and the Cassiar and Tanana regions of Yukon. The transmission line could support projects in Yukon and northern British Columbia to produce critical minerals such as zinc, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, nickel, platinum and tungsten.
This funding will come from the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF), a key program of the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy. It aims to address infrastructure gaps and make minerals production sustainable, while linking resources to markets, various clean energy, electrification and transportation infrastructure. Future funding decisions for projects under the CMIF are also expected in the coming months, to advance minerals infrastructure development.
“I am pleased that Yukon is home to the third project conditionally approved by the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund, the flagship program of the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy. A vital part of our ability to capitalize on the once-in-a-generation opportunity before us is developing the infrastructure needed to access and transport our rich critical mineral resources. Connecting Yukon’s grid to northern B.C. will expand opportunities for Yukon’s future,” said Hanley.
Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai said the Grid Connect project is more than an energy initiative. It offers a transformational opportunity for all Yukonians. This project will not only power homes, but also spur economic and social growth by providing clean, affordable and reliable energy. I thank our partners in British Columbia and the federal government for their support, which will help our northern communities. This is an important step for our government to achieve a more sustainable energy future.”
