Vancouver, BC, March 6, 2026 – This week, at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources announced new supports for mineral exploration and mining in Canada, with significant spending in British Columbia.
Speaking about the announcements, Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) President and CEO Todd Stone said: “This is positive news for mineral exploration in British Columbia. Announcing more than $127 million in funding projects in our province is a clear sign of the opportunity ahead.”
The announcements include the launch of the First and Last Mile Fund, with four out of the five of the major infrastructure projects being in British Columbia, totaling $97 million. We also saw $8 million for the Energy Innovation Program, and $22 million for the Critical Mineral Research, Development and Demonstration Program.
The federal government also announced $40 million to advance the Canadian Digital Core Library – a made-in-Canada tool that will modernize how we understand our resources and embark on new discoveries, which can turn into new projects. AME looks forward to engaging the federal government, regional exploration groups, and members with core on this project.
About AME
AME champions mineral exploration as the foundation of Canada’s economic independence. We connect exploration to mineral development, clean technology, and national security. Through member advocacy, we ensure exploration remains central to Canada’s sovereignty and economic future.
Learn more, sign up for updates, and get involved at mineralsfortomorrow.ca.
AME Contact
Rich Truman
[email protected]
604-404-1031